Bhubaneswar: Police have registered a case after a viral video of a group of transgender persons allegedly thrashing a hermit near Khandagiri hills went viral.

The Naga baba (a hermit belonging to the Naga sect) hails from Uttar Pradesh. He was reluctant to lodge a police complaint, but the cops decided to take suo motu cognizance of the incident.

While the incident took place late on Wednesday evening, the matter came to light after the video showing a group of around eight transgender persons allegedly thrashing the hermit went viral on Thursday.

While some transgender persons alleged that the hermit had misbehaved with them a few days ago, the cops suspect that they assaulted the hermit to drive him away. The police started a drive against transgender persons for solicitation and fleecing commuters during the night at Khandagiri from June 1.

"A platoon of police has been taking part in the drive and we are not allowing them to stand on isolated roads at night. As the hermit had come to the place a month ago, they could suspect that he was behind the drive against them," said a police officer.

"I heard that the hermit had physically assaulted one of our members and it subsequently triggered resentment. But I don't know how far this is true. Let the cops investigate and accordingly take action," said All Odisha Kinnar Association secretary secretary Meghna Sahu.

Deputy commissioner of police Anup Kumar Sahoo said action would be initiated against those involved. "We have decided to take suo motu cognizance and register a case. The transgender persons assaulting the victim have been identified."