Sex workers’ union activist assaulted in Bangalore

The night of May 11 was one that Rinky (name changed), a third-sex member activist and sex worker with Sangama, will never forget. The member of the Karnataka Sex Workers Union was brutally assaulted by eight people from the Hijra (transgender) community on Airport Road. She sustained several injuries, besides being subjected to great psychological abuse.

“She was stripped naked and forced to drink urine and gutter water,” said a Hijra. The offenders left after snatching her earrings and bag. The incidents on the previous day are said to be behind this attack. On Tuesday, while she was with some hijra sex workers soliciting customers, a heated argument ensued regarding a theft on the previous day in the area.

Rinky expressed unhappiness over the increasing number of theft cases in the community. Some hijras joined the argument and Rinky decided to go to one hijra’s house to resolve this issue.

“The attack on me is a fallout of that argument. I have filed a complaint. Of the eight who attacked me, police said, three have been held. I was discharged from Bowring Hospital and am recovering from the attack but now I am scared as they will be looking for me,’’ said Rinky, at a press meet on Thursday.