A financial dispute between rival trans groups in the Indian city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, led 24 trans individuals to engage in a shocking mass suicide attempt. Everyone was taken to a nearby hospital and survived.

“We received information about a situation of ruckus at a house in Nandlalpura where transgender persons reside,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Anand Kaladgi, told the media, as reported by the Hindustan Times. “Our senior officers promptly arrived at the scene. They learned that some of the individuals had consumed an unknown substance, causing several of them to fall ill. Ambulances were immediately called, and 24 people were admitted to the nearby hospital.”

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“They are currently receiving treatment and are in stable condition. Once their health improves, their statements will be recorded, and the reason for the incident will be known.”

The day after the collective suicide attempt, the leader of the rival group, Sapna Haji, also known as Sapna Guru, was arrested for assault and extortion. Police are also investigating three of her associates, according to The Hindu. One of the associates, Pankaj Jain, has also been accused of posing as a journalist to threaten and rape a trans woman from the rival group. Kaladgi said those charges are not related to this incident, though, calling them “a different matter.”

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A person associated with the victim’s group told reporters, according to the Hindustan Times, that Jain and another person, Akshay Kumaon, blackmailed and raped the victim after pretending to be journalists. The person also claimed they stole from the victim. “Are we not humans?” they said.

Members of the group have claimed that, in addition to threats and assault, Haji and the associates would not return a security deposit they had taken for a community conference, according to The Tribune. Those who attempted suicide were reportedly fed up with Haji’s alleged abuses.

One of the victims, Neha Kunwar, even attempted a second suicide while at the hospital, but authorities were able to stop her. Kunwar spoke to the press after her second attempt and said Haji had been forcing trans community members into “bonded labor” for 16 years by forcing them to beg for money.

“If the police and administration do not support us, the 300 transgender people in our camp will be forced to commit suicide by pouring petrol on themselves,” Kunwar said.

The dispute between the two groups is nothing new, and they reportedly often make serious allegations against each other regarding finances, leadership, and control.

Shankar Lalwani, the member of parliament representing the area, was part of a ruling party delegation that met with the police commissioner over the incident.

“The transgender factional dispute is tarnishing the city’s image,” he said. “The police should thoroughly investigate the root cause of this dispute. Strict legal action should then be taken against the culprits.”

If this story affected you, just know you are not alone. The Trans Lifeline Hotline offers support to trans/nonbinary people struggling with mental health from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. PST Monday-Friday. Call (877) 565-8860 to be connected to a trans/nonbinary peer operator and receive full anonymity and confidentiality. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger, can be reached at (866) 488-7386.

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