Sensitisation & awareness meet on transgenders held in Silchar

Feb. 26: “Government supports everyone’s right to live with dignity and administration is ready to provide all forms of support to the transgenders for their overall development,” stated Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi Jalli in a meeting organised by Cachar Administration in association with District Social welfare Dept at here on Friday.

In a first of its kind awareness and sensitisation meeting on transgenders, DC Jalli, who presided over the meeting elaborated on the steps being taken by Govt. In her address, Jalli said, “In the same way, that the sex workers of the district were given government assistance with dignity during the Covid pandemic period, the transgenders could also be provided with government support to tide over the pandemic period if they are willing to come forward as Covid has affected all kinds of livelihood. In addition to that, they will be given identity cards if they are want”.

In the presence of officials of Social Welfare Department and various voluntary organisations working for the welfare of women and children, DC Jalli directed the officials to arrange rehabilitation by arranging virtual zoom meeting with such students studying in higher educational institutions like NIT, Assam University and medical college. DC Jalli also assured that the administration is ready to provide employment to the Transgenders.

Earlier, District Social Welfare Officer, Saswati Som requested the members of the NGOs to guide the Transgenders as well as to make them aware so that they can register their names in the government portal transgender.gov.in under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, so that District Magistrate can issue identity card through which they can be acknowledged in the society and in near future be benefited from government schemes. She further reiterated that social welfare department floated advertisement in local dailies on 24 November, 2021 but till date no response found from the locality.

Shubhjit Dutta, an activist of Sage- Barak Queer Collective, a pre- litigation counselling cell ,said that Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Asexual (LGBTIQA) community is historically oppressed. Even after National legal service authority (NALSA ) judgement 2014, Transgender Protection Act 2019 and repeal of Sec. 377 of IPC, people are still unaware and ignorant towards the community. He also stated that people from LGBTQIA or non-binary, who are facing any kind of violence, harassment from anyone can contact on this number 801195172 for pre-litigation counseling. Poulomi nag, who is also an activist of Sage- Barak Queer Collective explained about penal provisions of harassing transgenders and available govt schemes for them. Tania Laskar, Secretary of Human Rights Committee also gave a relevant speech.

The meeting was also attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Social welfare) Jessica Lalsim, DLSA, District Information Officer, police officials, Child development project officer and LGBTQIA activists.