Lucknow — The Divyang Mahagathbandhan (Differently-Abled Alliance) submitted a memorandum addressed to the Director General of Police (DGP), demanding the effective implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in police stations across Uttar Pradesh.
The organization had planned to march to the DGP office, but as representatives gathered at Gandhi Statue in Hazratganj, they were stopped by heavy police presence. Eventually, Hazratganj Station House Officer (SHO) Vikram Singh received the memorandum and assured that it would be forwarded to the DGP.
Virendra Kumar, General Secretary of the Mahagathbandhan, said that despite clear provisions under the 2016 Act, police stations are not registering complaints of harassment against persons with disabilities. Furthermore, there are no ramps or accessible facilities for the differently-abled at most police stations.
He warned that if the provisions of the Act are not implemented soon in government offices, a statewide protest will be launched.
The delegation also met a senior official from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, demanding the implementation of the minutes issued on March 18, including the appointment of Lekhpals and Chief Sevikas with disabilities, and the regularization of seasonal Amin employees.
“If the government fails to fulfill our legitimate demands, we will be compelled to take to the streets,” said Kumar.
Key members present included Virendra Kumar, Anand Tiwari, Tanmay Srivastava, Rahul Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Alpana Kumari, Ajit Kumar, Rajkumar, Ramnihal Dwivedi, Krishna Kumar Singh, Vaibhav Dixit, Kuldeep Kumar, Imran, and Kripa Shankar, among others.
