Assam gets its first transgender conciliator at Lok Adalat

Assam's first transgender conciliator has been appointed at the Lok Adalat in Guwahati making the north eastern state the third in the country, after West Bengal and Maharashtra to have done so.

Swati Bidhan Baruah said that she has been appointed as a conciliator, which is a position equivalent to a member judge of national Lok Adalat.

Reportedly, Baruah informed on Friday that she will begin her term in court number 25 in the Kamrup district and sessions court on after being appointed to the post by the Kamrup (metro) district legal services.

Speaking to the media, Baruah said, "My appointment in the Lok Adalat is a very positive message for the society and will help create awareness on discrimination against transgenders".

"The capacity and capability of transgenders must be recognised and they must be provided with ample opportunities to ensure that they can lead a dignified life. I hope that I am able to maintain the principle of natural justice as a judge as lok adalats deal with settlement outside the court through arbitration, conciliation and mediation," Baruah added.

Further, Baruah said that she has plans to initiate mass sensitisation to end discrimination against transgenders and ensure that they get proper opportunities to lead a life of dignity.

Joyita Mondal of North Dinajpur in West Bengal is country's first transgender judge and Vidya Kamble from Nagpur in Maharashtra the second. Mondal had assumed office in July 2017 and Kamble in February 2018.