Kathmandu (Pahichan) February 4 – It has been revealed that disputes over the payment after sexual intercourse led to the murder of a transgender Ajita Bhujel.

According to police, a group of youths killed transgender Ajita Bhujel, 29 after dispute emerged over the payment issue after having sexual relations with her inside the truck.  Bhujel was killed on January 17.

The gang had offered Rs 7000 to Bhujel for having sexual relations. After having sex, the gang refused to give the promised amount and strangled her to death by electric cable wire at the truck cabin, as per the police investigations. Then they rushed to dump the dead body into a gorge along Kanti Rajpath.

Hetauda police made public the five accused on Tuesday. Chief of District Police Office Sushil Singh Rathaur said five local youths were held in connection with the murder of transgender woman from Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City-11.

Due to lack of employment and other opportunities, members of this community are forced to adopt sex profession so that they are always vulnerable in terms of security. Of late, killings and murder of LGBTI community has increased, a serious concerns for rights activist.

Last year, Depika Upreti, a transgender was killed in Narayanghat. Same year, third gender Jiwan Gurung was killed in Lazimpat Kathmandu. The constitution of Nepal adopted in 2072 BS had ensured the rights of this community but their security is very fragile as society is yet to accept this community.

LGBTI rights activist from Hetauda Suraj Thapa said members of this community are compelled to sell their body in the street due to the lack of employment opportunities. Suraj further added that state should provide employment to this community as per their education and other qualifications.  “Like male and female, members of this community should get the rights of livelihood,” Suraj said.

Chairman of Blue Diamond Society Pinky Gurung said with recent murder whole community has felt insecurity in the society. “It is not only the murder of Bhujel, it is a murder of wishes and freedom of whole community,” Gurung said.

There are suspicions that partners themselves are engaged in the murder and torture of members of this community.  Nepal is yet to legalize same-sex marriage. That is why members of this community are insecure in society.

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