SRINAGAR: Scores of differently-abled persons under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) on Tuesday staged a protest at Press Enclave here, demanding implementation of disability rights, enhanced social security, employment opportunities and resolution of their long-pending grievances.
Carrying placards and raising slogans, the protesters said they were compelled to resume their agitation as assurances made by the administration during previous protests had not resulted in any concrete action.
Association president Abdul Rashid Bhat said the sit-in would continue until the government addresses the issues faced by persons with disabilities.
He said the association had earlier held a 19-day protest at Dogra Chowk in Jammu, where senior officials had assured them that their demands would be considered, but no significant progress had been made after the protest ended.
Bhat said the association had also sought meetings with the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and the Social Welfare Minister through written representations and emails but had not received any response.
He said differently-abled persons from several districts had joined the protest and maintained that the association would not end the agitation on the basis of verbal assurances alone.
“We will continue our protest until practical measures are taken to resolve our genuine demands,” Bhat said. (KNO)
