Srinagar, Aug 04 (KNO): Scores of differently-abled persons under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) on Tuesday held a protest, demanding implementation of disability rights, enhanced social security, employment opportunities and redressal of their long-pending grievances.
Holding placards and raising slogans at Press Enclave here, the protesters, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said they had been left with no option but to resume their agitation, alleging that repeated assurances made by the administration during earlier protests had not translated into action.
Association president Abdul Rashid Bhat said the protest would continue until the government takes concrete steps to address the issues faced by persons with disabilities.
He said the association had earlier staged a 19-day sit-in at Dogra Chowk in Jammu, during which senior officials assured them that their demands would be looked into. "However, no tangible progress was made after the protest ended," he said.
Bhat said the association had also sought appointments 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 at Press Enclave and asserted that the association would not withdraw the agitation merely on verbal assurances.
“We will continue our protest until practical measures are taken to resolve our genuine demands,” Bhat said—(KNO)