Kumarjit not transgender: Nupi Manbi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 19 2024: All Manipur Nupi Manbi Association secretary Shanta Khurai has clarified that Laishram Kumarjit, who was shot on the leg on Saturday by a proscribed outfit as punishment for abetting immoral activities and working as a pimp for high profile individuals, is not a transgender.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club on Sunday, Shanta noted that though Kumarjit was referred to as a transgender in news reports he does not have legal proof to be transgender nor possess identity card of transgender.

Identifying Kumarjit as transgender in news reports hurts the transgender community of the state, Shanta said and appealed media persons to verify before filing reports on news relating to transgender.

Transgender Health and Wellness Centre coordinator Bonita Pebam also told media persons that a transgender needs to possess identity card issued by district magistrate after applying for the same at National Portal for Transgender of the Government of India.

A transgender cannot enjoy protection under Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act, 2019 without possessing government issued identity card and get recognition from the government.

However, Kumarjit does not possess such identity card nor applied for the same, Bonita said adding that there are around 5,000 transgenders in Manipur with only about 500 in possession of valid identity card and granted government recognition.

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