Residents voice grievance over forced extortion by a gender minority group

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 31: Anupama Paudel was on her way to her father’s home in Chhapro, Ward No. 32 in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, with her toddler and husband at 11 pm. When her son insisted on vising his grandpa, refusing to sleep, the couple had to travel to Chhapro from Gothatar at night. But when they reached Chhapro, a group of people stopped them, demanding money and pulling her husband and the bike to the roadside. When the child cried and the group saw Anupama, a local, they left them. 

Since then, Anupama and her husband stopped moving around at night. However, those who have their homes just next to the road cannot sleep well because of brawls between the commuters and the groups of gender minority, especially after 9 pm at night. They say the security atmosphere of their neighbourhood has deteriorated, of late.

The reason, according to residents, is the frequent congregation of individuals of this group. Locals say that these groups, often divided into clusters, have begun harassing pedestrians, bikers and others.

Eyewitnesses claim that these individuals aggressively demand money, resort to intimidation or coercion when denied, and in extreme cases, have even forced people to undress or subjected them to physical assaults.

Occasionally, patrol teams from the nearby police station pass through the area. As soon as the sound of the police siren is heard, the individuals reportedly scatter or pretend to sit quietly as if nothing was happening. Once the police leave, the activities resume in full force. Residents report that these groups clap loudly, shout for money, and block the path of those who refuse to give, sometimes even verbally abusing them.

"This area wasn’t like this before. No one knows where these people came from or how they ended up here. Every night, after dark, they gather in this very chowk, make noise, form groups, and the moment they see someone walking by, they approach demanding money. It’s become unsafe to even use the street now," Anupama shared her frustration.

Two old ladies whose houses stand near the road echo similar concerns. "After dinner, when it’s time to hit the sack, these groups gather near the chowk and begin shouting and making loud noise. It’s been months, we can’t sleep peacefully anymore. We've informed the nearby police station, and although police patrol occasionally, the problem persists. We have no idea how to permanently resolve this nuisance."

Sharmila Gautam, another resident, suspects some level of organisation behind such gatherings of gender minority. 

"They arrive after exactly 8:00 pm in a vehicle, get off, split into groups, and start making rounds asking for money, claiming it will bring good fortune if they donate. At first, I thought it was temporary and even gave them money for a few days. But now they’ve practically set up camp here and disturb the local community regularly," she shared.

"I come to shopping in the New Road area about twice a week and during that time, I often see members of this group persistently asking for money," said Shrishthi Pathak. "It's not about the money we are willing to give; we have to give them as much as they demand. Otherwise, we have to face humiliation in public," she added.

Superintendent of Police (SP) and Spokesperson for the Kathmandu District Police Range, Apil Raj Bohora also expressed growing concern over the increasing activities of this organised group involved in inappropriate begging and public disturbances in Kathmandu. 

These activities are no longer confined to settlements alone but have now spread to major public places including busy intersections, temples, particularly the Pashupatinath area and commercial complexes.

SP Bohora said, “We have witnessed a noticeable rise in the movement of such groups demanding money and disturbing public order. Based on complaints and formal reports, we have detained several individuals under public nuisance and disorderly conduct provisions.”

 Only this past week, nine individuals of this group were apprehended from various locations by the Police Range. “Depending on the severity of their misconduct, we attempt to make them aware and release them without filing charges,” SP Bohora said, adding that legal action is avoided in some cases to prevent backlash from rights organisations.

He acknowledged the challenge of taking firm legal measures against such individuals, as advocacy groups often stage protests claiming violations of their rights. “Even though we face limitations in taking strong legal measures, the role of local police units and community vigilance is critical in curbing these behaviours right on the spot,” he emphasised.

SP Bohora stressed that public awareness and police surveillance, especially during nighttime, are essential in maintaining social harmony. “Causing disturbances in public places under the guise of begging cannot be tolerated. These individuals must understand that maintaining peace is a shared responsibility,” he concluded.

Although the TRN established communication with Executive Director of the Blue Diamond Society, Manisha Dhakal, and Spokesperson of the Society Pinky Gurung for talks, both of them said that they will make their comments on the issue only after understanding the ground reality, and denied making any immediate comment.