Harassment by the police in Esplanade area Kolkotta

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

Greetings from MANAS Bangla, a network running West Bengal Male to

Male Sexual Health Promotion and HIV Prevention Programme. I had a dangerous

experience this evening which I think I should share with you all.

While visiting fields, in the Esplanade area I found one of our peer

educators talking to some target people - a male sex-worker (MSW) and some

other kotis. I joined them.

Suddenly I saw two individuals, whom both the peer educator and the MSW

identified as anti-socials, approached the peer educator and

demanded Rs. 20/- for drinks. I first thought to ask the peer educator not to

entertain them. But then I realsied that he has to work in that field and if

protested against, the anti-socials might harass him and even abuse him anytime,

and keeping them in hand might help him.

So I told the peer educator to pay the money.

Few more kotis and other men with MSM behaviour gathered around us -

some called-in by the MSW. We were taliking to them and the peer educator was

doing his job. Suddenly two other men came there, searched the MSW and another

person and then forced them to some unknown place by twisting their arms and

slapping them hard. When I asked them what's wrong, they asked me what we were

doing there.

When I told them about MANAS Bangla, they told me to leave the place fast along

with the peer educator. When I told them that we need the MSW and the other

person or our work and the MSW tried to support me they slapped the MSW and

told me to shut-up and leave. I was too perplexed and shocked to react.

By the time I gained back my sanity, they were few metres away. I found a

plain-clothed policeman approaching. When I told him

what has happened, he told that the predators were 'their' men and

we should be wise enough to leave silently. I was almost speechless.

Somehow I murmurred the visibly upset peer educator to leave and myself left the

place on a Howrah bound bus.

After going to some distance I regained my composure, rang up our

Kadapara drop in centre (DiC), narrated the event to the coordinator, told him

to enquire about the peer educator and take care of him.

Now I feel ashamed that I couldnot raise my voice and stand by my

community fellows. But I also feel that we need support from you all

as well.

If the police cant protect the health-workers from the anti- socials and

extortionists but harass the target population like this, neither the health

worker will feel like working nor the target people will trust them.

We are talking about enabling environment and this is the environment we have to

live in and work in. In spite of so many workshops and meetings with both the

Kolkata and West Bengal police this is what we are getting from them.

I am afraid if this goes on then fighting the virus, especially among the people

with MSM behaviour, will become next to impossible.

I request you all to join hands with us and help us to save our

lives and honour and dignity from the 'law-keepers'

Regards.

Anis Ray Chaudhuri

Assistant Secretary

MANAS Bangla

e-mail:<manasbengal2003@...>