Jalpaiguri, Sept. 13 -- Following the recent recovery of firearms, ammunition and a Bangladeshi birth certificate from a residence in Raikatpara where a group of transgender people live, traders at Jalpaiguri Station Market have decided to take a strict stand against alleged harassment and forced collection of money.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Jalpaiguri Station Market Traders' Committee after traders raised complaints that some members of the transgender community had allegedly been visiting the market and pressuring shopkeepers to pay money against their wishes.
Market committee secretary Jogendra Raut said: "From today, no one will be allowed to visit Station Market and forcibly collect money from traders. If any trader wishes to help someone voluntarily, they are free to do so. However, collecting money by threatening, pressuring or forcing traders will not be tolerated."
According to the committee, the market has many small and marginal traders, most of whom depend on limited daily earnings. Traders alleged that they are sometimes pressured to pay a fixed amount and that refusal can lead to arguments, threats or intimidation.
The committee said traders had discussed the issue for some time before deciding to take a firm stand. It was unanimously resolved that no individual or group would be allowed to pressure traders into handing over money. Traders have also been advised not to make payments under pressure.
Meanwhile, a joint search by the BSF, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Jalpaiguri district police at a Raikatpara residence days ago reportedly led to the recovery of two country-made firearms, live ammunition, Bangladeshi SIM cards and a Bangladeshi birth certificate. Biometric verification of 42 transgender people was also conducted during the operation. A transgender person, Pipasa, was arrested in connection with the case.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.