Organised crimes by hijras shoot up

A large number of hijras (hermaphrodite) are now getting involved in criminal activities specially mugging, stealing and toll collection at city's different intersections, posing a threat to law and order.
Police said some eunuchs of the city are active in snatching and stealing at different intersections, including Mohakhali, Farmgate, Kakrail, Shyampur, Karwan Bazar, Airport, Paltan, Shahbagh, Jatrabari, Uttara and Tejgaon.
People at different parks and open places, including Sangshad Bhaban area and Chandrima Udyan often fall victim of their harassment. The hijras snatch and steal valuables using various techniques like in the name of seeking alms.
Besides, they force the city dwellers to pay high amount of money and they hurl abusive words against them failing to get it.
Witnesses said, they take position on different intersections and taking the opportunity of traffic signal, they tactfully get into the private cars or other vehicles and mugs valuables including mobile phone sets and money from the passengers.
On April 21, three eunuchs got into the car of an Uttara resident and snatched away his cell phone set and money while he was returning home.
Another gang of hijras mugged Tk 2,000 along with a cell phone set from fruit trader Khalid of Mohammadpur Krishi Market at Chandrima Udyan at about 7:00 pm on April 18.
Some city dwellers alleged that the hijras also forcibly enter into their residence and demand money and they give threat to take their children outside the house while failing to get the money.
Meanwhile, six to seven hijras yesterday morning broke into several residences on Road 3, Sector 5 in Uttara and demanded Tk 5,000 from each of the residences. On information, police and Rab rushed in and saved the residents.
Sources said, the eunuchs mainly live in different places in and around the capital, including Fayedabad, Kathaltola, Ashkona and Gaoair under Dakkhin Khan police station while Rajabari, Kamarpara and Dia Bari under Turag police, Majar Bosti, Machhimpur, Station Road and Amtoli under Tongi police, Kuril Bishwa Road under Badda police and Shahjahanpur under Khilgaon police station.
Talking to The Daily Star, Rahela, a leader of the hermaphrodites who lives in Fayedabad, denied the allegation and said, "There are some males who cheat people in guise of hijra." and added that around 9,000 eunuchs are living in and around the capital.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Shahidul Huq told The Daily Star that he would ask DMP police to take action to prevent the harassment of the city dwellers by the third gender.
Police said the eunuch community can easily avoid suspicion of law enforcers while they are involved in snatching in the name of seeking alms from the victims. They have changed their traditional technique of mugging taking an opportunity of traffic jams.
Police said generally the victims do not lodge complaints with the police so they could not launch drives against the hijras involved in criminal activities.
While contacted Salma Ali, executive director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA), said some of the hijras might have involvement in criminal activities, as the government do not take steps to rehabilitate them.
She said their entertainment, means of their earning, is losing its appeal gradually in this modern era forcing them to commit crimes.