Transgender activists’ protest march turns violent

Kottayam: The march held by transgender Congress state committee to Alappuzha collectorate turned violent on Saturday. They were demanding the expulsion of the transgender justice board member, who was part of a Left-wing organisation and convicted in a sexual abuse case.As the police stopped the protesters in front of the gate, they lay down on the road and continued their protest. They were forcibly removed.Around eight members began the protest march from Alappuzha DCC office. The protesters included transgender Congress state president Raga Ranjini, state patron Arunima M Kurup, vice-president Anna Raju, state secretary Advika and others. Their main demand was the expulsion of an Alappuzha transgender board member, who was punished in a sexual abuse case registered at Palarivattom police station. They wanted to meet the district collector, who is also chairman of the transgender board.The transgender activists said that protest marches to district collectorates and residences of ministers would be held in the coming days.