Differently abled persons hold protest march against ‘govt apathy’

Srinagar

Several physically-challenged people on Monday staged a protest march towards Divisional Commissioner Kashmir’s Office in support of their demands.

Members of Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) held a protest rally from Pratap Park to Divisional Commissioner office against the alleged “non-serious” approach of the State Government in addressing the problems of persons with disabilities.

The protesters raised anti-government slogans. They alleged that the government had failed to fulfil their genuine demands since long.

“The successive regimes are ignoring the demands of persons with disabilities. We will continue to protest till our genuine demands are met by the government,” said one of the protesters.

They, the protesters, demanded reservation in jobs, financial assistance, loans at nominal interest rates, and concession in electricity and water tariff.

Carrying placards, the protesters demanded better living conditions and rehabilitation from the current government. Some of the placards read, “We are not begging, we are demanding our rights.”

President of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association Abdul Rashid Bhat said all successive governments have ignored the rights of physically challenged people and they were silently suffering and facing many problems as the authorities concerned were not ready to listen to them.

“The government has failed to meet our genuine demands which include the increase in monthly pension and free-of-cost education for physically challenged people. There are many schemes for which the Centre has sanctioned funds, but the state government does not implement the schemes,” they said.

The protesters threatened to intensify their protests if the government failed to fulfil their demands.