Transgender sets herself on fire outside police station in Srivilliputtur

A transgender, Mutharasi, 21, allegedly set herself on fire in front of the Srivilliputtur Town police station objecting to the police enquiring one of her friends, on Sunday.

She has been admitted to the Virudhunagar Government Medical College hospital with severe burn injuries.

According to police, two transgenders had been seeking alms at Srivilliputtur bus stand. Since one of them had behaved in a rude manner with the public, the police had got a complaint over phone.

Based on the complaint, a woman Sub-Inspector of Police had gone to the bus stand and chased them away.

Subsequently, the same person was seen at North Car Street seeking alms. The Sub-Inspector reprimanded her and asked her to come to the police station for enquiry after snatching her mobile phone.

She then mobilised her community people and even as the enquiry was under way, those assembled demanded that she should be let out.

Suddenly, Mutharasi took the extreme step.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 and Speak2Us helpline at 9375493754.)