Kolkata, 10 September (H.S.) : BSF personnel and police conducted a search operation in an area inhabited by members of the transgender community in Jalpaiguri municipality on Thursday amid allegations of illegal activities.

According to police, around 30 to 50 members of the transgender community have been living in Uttara Rayakatpara under Ward No. 2 of Jalpaiguri town for the past seven to eight years.

A large team of BSF personnel and police arrived in the area on Thursday morning and surrounded several houses. Personnel were also deployed on the roofs of three houses, while one house was searched.

Police said they were investigating whether any Bangladeshi nationals or illegal firearms were present at the house. The surrounding area was also searched. Officials said a large number of people had reportedly been visiting the house over a period of time.

Police also said the community had recently organised a large event on the occasion of Manasa Puja and that some of its activities had raised suspicion.

Mouman Chakraborty, Inspector-in-Charge of Jalpaiguri Kotwali Police Station, said the BSF had launched the search based on information received from sources and that the local police had also been called in.

Jalpaiguri Additional Superintendent of Police Shrinivas MP said the search operation was underway and that details would emerge after its completion.

A member of the transgender community, however, denied the allegations. The person said police and BSF personnel had been conducting searches since morning, taking fingerprints and counting the number of people present. The community member also claimed that everyone living there had valid documents and denied the presence of Bangladeshi nationals or firearms.

The search operation has created tension in the area, with local residents closely watching the developments. Police said further details would be available after the investigation is completed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh