Shimla (Kameshwar Sharma): Anger among members of the visually impaired and disabled community intensifies protest on Tuesday as protesters blocked a road outside the State Secretariat in Shimla. The demonstration marked another phase of a movement that activists say has continued for the last 976 days.
The protesters gathered near the Secretariat in large numbers and raised slogans against the state government. Their road blockade disrupted traffic on the Secretariat route and drew attention to several long-pending demands related to welfare and employment.
Road Blockade Brings Traffic to a Halt
Members of the disabled community assembled near the Secretariat during the morning and sat on the road to press for their demands.
The blockade brought traffic movement to a halt on one of Shimla’s busiest routes. Long queues of vehicles formed on the Secretariat road and nearby areas, causing inconvenience to commuters and government employees.
Police and administrative officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the protest. During the demonstration, protesters and security personnel engaged in minor scuffles and brief pushing incidents. After lengthy discussions, officials convinced protesters to move to the roadside and restored normal traffic movement.
The protest highlighted the growing frustration among differently-abled citizens across the state.
Protesters Accuse Government of Delaying Action
Protesters alleged that the Chief Minister’s Office has kept an important file related to the disabled community pending for the last 136 days.
They claimed that the government has repeatedly assured them of action but has not taken any concrete decision so far. As a result, dissatisfaction within the community has continued to grow.
Activists argued that thousands of disabled and visually impaired individuals continue to wait for relief and policy decisions. They said the prolonged delay has forced them to intensify their agitation.
Organization Demands Direct Meeting with Chief Minister
Rajesh Thakur, who leads the agitation, said the organization will no longer hold discussions with ministers or departmental officials.
Instead, protesters want to meet the Chief Minister directly. Thakur said years of meetings and repeated assurances have failed to produce meaningful results.
According to him, the community has shown patience for years. However, the government has not addressed its concerns effectively. Therefore, members of the organization have decided to strengthen their movement.
Disabled Community Intensifies Protest: Protesters Reiterate Long-Pending Demands
The organization repeated several demands during the demonstration.
These demands include:
- Filling backlog vacancies reserved for persons with disabilities since 1995 through a special recruitment drive.
- Recruiting eligible candidates against vacant Class-IV posts.
- Restoring the Sahara Scheme and other welfare benefits.
- Strengthening support measures and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Protesters believe these measures can provide equal opportunities and stronger social security to the disabled community.
Activists Warn of Statewide Agitation
The organization warned that activists will expand the movement across Himachal Pradesh if the government fails to issue a written and concrete decision soon.
Leaders announced that they will mobilize disabled and visually impaired individuals from different districts and bring them to Shimla for a larger protest.
They said the government would bear responsibility for any escalation if it continued to ignore their concerns.
As the Disabled Community Intensifies Protest gains momentum, attention now focuses on the government’s response. Protesters have made it clear that they will continue their struggle until authorities address their demands and initiate direct dialogue with them.
Key Points of the news:
- The visually impaired and disabled community intensifies protest in Shimla after alleging prolonged government inaction.
- Protesters staged a road blockade outside the Secretariat, disrupting traffic for several hours.
- An important file related to their demands has allegedly been pending in the Chief Minister’s Office for 136 days.
- The organization is demanding recruitment against backlog vacancies and restoration of welfare schemes.
- Protest leaders have warned of a larger statewide agitation if their demands are not addressed soon.
