The Andhra Pradesh CID launched the Swabhiman Transgender Persons Protection Helpline number 1091 on Wednesday.
APCID Additional DGP N Sanjay had proposed the helpline aimed to protect the dignity of transgender persons. It intends to end violence against transgender persons, prevent discrimination against them including abuse and physical violence, protect their rights, monitor cases of crimes against them and to register and prosecute cases in a timely manner. KGV Saritha, SP Women Protection Cell, CID, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer of the State Level Transgender Persons Protection Cell.
Saritha said that the helpline would work in accordance with the Transgender Persons (Protection Rules) Act-2019 and the Transgender Persons (Protection Rules)-2020, through which they would analyse the complaints of transgender persons, provide counselling, take legal action and also undertake sensitisation programmes. She opined that transgender persons should take advantage of the opportunity as it was a toll-free number.
Vasireddy Padma, Chairperson of the AP State Women’s Commission, said that the government had implemented many programmes for the welfare of transgender persons. She criticised making fun of transgender people, insulting them and using their condition as a curse to insult others in political terms. She stated that transgenders also had self-esteem and that was why the helpline was named ‘Swabhiman’.
