International Day For Persons With Disability Observed As Black Day

GUWAHATI: Persons with disabilities took to the streets in Guwahati on the International Day for Persons with Disability on Monday– not to celebrate the day, but to register their protest against deprivation they have been facing. They observed the day as black day.

Led by the Protibondhi Suraksha Sanstha, Asom (PSSA), as many as seven organizations of persons with disabilities – the Sadou Asom Dristiheen Chatra Santha; Dristiheen Parishad, Asom; Sadou BTAD Protibondhi Suraksha Santha; Koliabor Mohkuma Protibondhi Santha; Pubali Protibondhi Santha, Dukhutiya Protibondhi Santha and Udalguri Protibondhi Santha – took out a protest procession from Dighalipukhuripar to Dighalipukhuripar via RBI, Cotton Boys’ Hostel and the Gauhati High Court.

Till December 1, 2017, as many, as 4,419 backlog posts meant for persons with disabilities, were not filled up. The organizations have been demanding the filling up all these posts. Other demands of the organizations include immediate release of Rs 1,000 per month for each and every person with disability as promised in the Budget, the construction of a rest house for persons with disabilities as promised by Minister Pramila Rani Brahma on June 1, 2018, suspension of police officer Amitabh Basumatary and others who baton charged on persons with disabilities on October 5 this year etc.

Talking to the media, PSSA general secretary Nripen Malakar said: “Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who came to power at Dispur with the promise of jaati, maati and bheti, failed to keep the promise he had given to persons with disabilities, let alone others. The government claims to have changed Assam. However, our protest has proved the futility of this claim.” The organizations sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Directorate of Social Welfare. The Directorate calmed the protestors with the promise of ensuring their talks with the Chief Minister by December.