Massive protest July 2, 2004 for Kokila, Hijra who was tortured and sexually assaulted by Police personnel in Bangalore

Sangama, a sexuality minorities' rights organization in Bangalore, India held a massive protest July 2, 2004 for Kokila who was tortured and sexually assaulted by Police personnel in Bangalore.

Kokila, a 21 year old hijra (member of a traditional male-to-female transsexual community in South Asia), has been living in Bangalore City for the last 5 years. She survives by doing sex-work, the only option available to most hijras.

On June 18 she was attacked and raped by 10 males. Two policemen arrived and caught 2 of the attackers. Instead of arresting them, Kokila was taken to the police station, stripped naked and handcufted to a window. Six policemen then hit her with lathis and kicked her with their boots. She suffered injuries on all bodyparts and had her nipples burned.

At 11 p.m., three hours after the torture started, Ashwat Narayana, the Inspector of Police (highest ranking official in the station), arrived and directed the policemen to continue the torture until 1 a.m.

Sangama and about 12 other local organizations are demanding the arrest of the principal four Policemen and an end to police attacks of Hijras.

Send e-mails to: cm@kar.nic.in, chairnhrc@nic.in, member_secretary@ncw-india.org, dgpks@bgl.vsnl.net.in, copblore@rediffmai.com

Please copy and ask for more information from SANGAMA e-mail: sangama@sangama.org