Manipuri transgender actor beaten up by minister's police escorts

Imphal: Police escorts of Manipur’s rural development minister Moirangthem Okendro have been accused of beating up a transgender model, who has been selected to represent India in Miss International Queen 2016 in Thailand.

According to reports, Bishesh Huirem, the model, could not perform in Manipuri folk theatre Shumang Leela in Sagoltongba area of Imphal on Wednesday due to the injuries she sustained in the incident that took place on Monday night.

"I felt dizzy while performing but I somehow managed to act for a few minutes before losing consciousness. My doctor advised me to stop performing Shumang Leela for some days," Huirem said on Thursday.

Huirem was driving a friend home on Monday night when she entered into a narrow lane to drop her off but she was blocked midway by Okendro’s convoy that was heading towards her car from the opposite direction.

Huirem said she decided to back out of the lane, but the security officials began abusing her and then started “raining blows” on the model and her friend as the minister watched.