Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have issued guidelines to police stations across the city and surrounding areas on handling complaints involving transgender persons, directing officers to take legal action when public harassment, traffic obstruction, aggressive solicitation or other unlawful activities are established.
The move follows complaints from citizens about alleged harassment at traffic signals, markets, bus and railway stations, residential neighbourhoods and venues hosting functions and ceremonies.
Police asked to verify complaints
Under the guidelines, police stations have been directed to verify the facts and circumstances whenever complaints are received regarding aggressive solicitation of money or food, obstruction of public or vehicular traffic, threats, abusive behaviour, assault or harassment.
Where violations are established, officers have been instructed to take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
The guidelines are intended to address complaints relating to public order while ensuring that action by the police remains within the legal framework.
Police stations have also been asked to identify locations where repeated complaints are received and increase patrolling in those areas.
Meetings with transgender community members
The police have directed officers to hold regular meetings with members of the transgender community to create awareness about laws and discourage involvement in unlawful activities.
Such interactions are also intended to provide an opportunity to communicate concerns and explain the legal consequences of violations.
Police will also create awareness among members of the public about the appropriate steps to take when they face harassment or witness violations in public places.
Guidelines stress dignity and legal rights
The instructions specifically emphasise that the legal rights, dignity and respect of transgender persons must be protected while maintaining public order and ensuring smooth movement of traffic.
Police personnel have been directed to use respectful and non-discriminatory language while dealing with transgender persons.
Officers have also been cautioned against using derogatory, insulting or abusive language during enforcement.
Any action taken by the police must not infringe upon the legal rights or dignity of transgender persons, the guidelines state.
The directions therefore seek to balance complaints relating to public nuisance or unlawful conduct with the requirement that enforcement action be based on verified violations rather than a person’s gender identity.
Public urged to contact police helpline
Citizens have been advised to remain calm when faced with situations involving harassment or other violations and to contact the police helpline 112.
They have been asked to provide the police with necessary information about the incident and lodge a complaint at the nearest police station.
The guidelines come amid complaints from different parts of Bengaluru concerning public interactions at busy locations such as traffic signals, markets and transport hubs. Police have indicated that complaints will be dealt with after verification of the circumstances and in accordance with applicable law.