Transsexual Gang Kidnaps Boys For Flesh Trade

By P. Vijian

CHENNAI, April 5 (Bernama) -- Police in Tamil Nadu are working on a theory that a transexual gang operating in south India is luring young boys and forcing them to undergo sex change operation and later engage them in prostitution.

Although initial details are sketchy, police in Chennai said two such cases had surfaced recently, after a retired doctor was arrested in Kadapa in Andra Pradesh yesterday, making them believe a transgender gang is behind the heinous crime.

"We arrested the doctor from Kadapa and he admitted of helping the transsexual group. He has done 40 to 50 operations on boys to change their sex.

"We are also working on this angle, of a transgender gang involved in luring young boys and forcing them to change their sex and later lure them into prostitution to earn money," Chennai deputy inspector-general of police (crime investigation division) S.N. Seshasai told Bernama today.

On Friday, Chennai police arrested the 75-year-old doctor, wanted for castrating a 16-year-old by from Tamil Nadu last year, suspected to be under the order of the gang who later kidnapped the minor to Pune, where he was abused to beg and work as a prostitute.

"The doctor had been doing this (surgery) for 17 years since he retired. He said he does about two to three surgeries on boys every year. He removes their male organs and turn them into a female. He is on remand now," added Seshasai.

The 16-year-old victim, who managed to escape from Pune and returned to his family, is currently undergoing medical treatment.

An estimated 30,000 transgender persons live in Tamil Nadu and there are more than half a million of them across India.-- BERNAMA