Chennai: Ever Since her induction into the Tamil Nadu police, K. Pritika Yashini(27) has been the cynosure of the media. Monday was no different as camera crews descended on Choolaimedu police station where India's first transgender police officer took charge as a sub inspector in the law and order wing.
An apprehensive Pritika Yashini avoided interacting with the media until her senior officers reached the station. “This is a dream come true. I have crossed several hurdles to reach where I am today. I promise to serve society without without exhibiting any bias,” Pritika said.
Her colleagues at the new workplace wished her well and promised her cooperation. On her first day at work, she was explained about the jurisdiction and nature of her work in the law and order wing, police sources said.
Later in the day, she also accompanied the patrol teams to take a field visit of the sensitive areas in her jurisdiction. Addressing the doubts if there would be any biased treatment towards Pritika Yashini because of her gender, a senior police officer said that Pritika is now part of the police force and would be treated like any other police personnel. “Further, with quote a number of transgenders in the city living in Choolaimedu jurisdiction, her services would be an advantage to us,” the officer added.
A native of Salem, Yashini was born as Pradeep Kumar to Kalai Arasan-Sumathi couple. Yashini's father is an auto driver. Yashini left home as a 21-year-old and worked with a NGO before she joined the Tamil Nadu police as a SI, thanks to the intervention of Madras high court. After training at the Police Academy, she was posted in Dharmapuri in March this year for practical training.
