Over a dozen physically-challenged persons detained in J&K

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police on Thursday detained over a dozen physically-challenged people after they tried to take out a protest rally on the occasion of World Disability Day.

Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) members, including women, held a protest at press enclave against the "non-serious" approach of the state government in addressing the problems of persons with disabilities.

However, as soon as the members tried to march towards the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to submit a memorandum, police swung into action and detained around a dozen of them.

"We were protesting peacefully and tried to march towards the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir to submit a memorandum of our demands, but police detained about15 of our members," president of the association, Abdul Rashid Bhat said.

He said the association was protesting against the non-serious approach of the state government in addressing the problems of persons with disabilities.

"All the states are providing constructive schemes for the welfare and upliftment of the disabled people, but the government of Jammu and Kashmir has badly failed to provide assistance and welfare schemes to such people.

"We demand our rights be upheld and the schemes for handicapped persons be implemented without delay," he said, adding even after assurances from the government, "nothing has been done".