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| ‘Mysterious’ drive against eunuchs triggers health concerns |
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Monday, October 27, 2008
By Imtiaz Ali
Karachi
Unknown elements have launched a mysterious campaign against eunuchs since the last week, triggering anxiety among non-governmental organisations working for the prevention of HIV/AIDS.
The NGOs fear that if this trend continues, it will force eunuchs to go underground and their alleged abuse might transmit Aids, Hepatitis and other diseases among the abusers since eunuchs are considered to be part of the high risk group.
There were reports that some youths used to pick eunuchs from different spots, take them to Super Highway, rob and abuse them before finally abandoning them.
F alias S told The News that last Saturday evening “she” along with her two other friends were standing at Haidery Market when five youths carrying sticks and wearing gray trousers and black shirts inscribed with “Police Security” took them away. When “15” Madadgar policemen intercepted them, the youths aged 16 to 18 years said that they were taking them to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) office to get their names registered there.
The eunuchs were driven in a van to the Super Highway where they were forced to massage the youths, said S, adding that the fake policemen also snatched money from them and abused her.
Later, the youths brought them near the terminal of G-13 mini-bus and gave them Rs20 (coins) at about 11.30 pm to leave town.
She claimed that these people were posing as “government employees”, claiming that they had orders from Asif Ali Zardari to rid the city of eunuchs.
On October 23, said S, some youths took her friend from a marriage hall near Five Star roundabout and after subjecting her to a similar treatment they abandoned her on Super Highway by giving her Rs10 (coins). She claimed that 40 to 50 eunuchs have been taken away so far from Nipa roundabout, Water Pump Chowrangi, Jail Chowrangi and other areas. S has no idea who these young men are.
“If we have committed a crime then we should be arrested instead of being thrown into the jungle and abused,” she said adding that, she and her friends are now begging in localities instead of main markets.
Dr Rafiq Khanani of Tahfuz-e-Sehat, who is working to prevent HIV/Aids among eunuchs, said that this activity by certain elements might create health problems.
He adds that eunuchs are part of the high risk group of transmittable diseases since Aids and Hepatitis prevails among up to 20 per cent of them. This trend will compel eunuchs to go underground and it will adversely affect preventive measures. Secondly, if they are being abused, diseases might be transmitted among the abusers. HIV/Aids has been found among seven per cent eunuchs in Karachi and 20 per cent in Larkana he added.
Dr Rafiq recalled that sometime ago, certain elements with religious orientation had launched a similar campaign against eunuchs in Kausar Colony, Nazimabad, to vacate their area from their alleged objectionable activities.
Non-governmental organisations, working for the prevention of HIV-Aids among eunuchs, have termed this activity ‘an ominous development’ and they have approached the concerned authorities. Subsequently, this issue was also highlighted in the media, which pacified the move against eunuchs for the time being.
Dr Mohammed Nasir Jalbani, head of the Aids Control Programme (Sindh) has described such occurrences as a criminal activity.
He added that there are about 15,000 eunuchs in Karachi. According to him, the Aids Control Programme has launched a three-year service delivery package for eunuchs, which will be ending in December 2008.
This project was launched in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur and many NGOs are involved in taking preventive measures against HIV/Aids.
Amanullah, shift in-charge at Edhi Village near Nooriabad, said that the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) has started an anti-beggary campaign and they have been getting beggars and so far they have not received any eunuchs.
Moreover, Badar of Edhi Village said that the CDGK men brought some beggars at the village on Thursday (October 23) between 9.00pm to 10.00pm who kept at the village for one day and left at Sohrab Goth the next day since they did not have the capacity to keep more. But, he added, he saw two eunuchs roaming there.
Azhar Hashmi, Chief of CDGK Community Police explained that their force does not target eunuchs, as they only pick up beggars from different areas.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
