Shimla, April 21
Members of the Blind Persons Association on Tuesday staged a road blockade outside the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat and issued a one-week ultimatum to the state government, warning of a gherao of the Chief Minister’s residence if talks are not initiated within the stipulated time.
The protest in Shimla has intensified, with members of the organisation holding a shirtless demonstration and blocking traffic near the Secretariat. The agitation, which has been ongoing for 918 days, centres on the demand to fill backlog vacancies for persons with disabilities.
Protesters said this was their 30th road blockade and alleged that the government has taken no concrete steps despite repeated demonstrations. Rajesh Thakur, a member of the association, accused the authorities of ignoring their demands and failing to engage in dialogue.
He said the group is seeking rights guaranteed under the Constitution but has not received any response from the government. He added that if a written assurance for a meeting with the Chief Minister is not provided within a week, the organisation will proceed to gherao the official residence.
Thakur also said the agitation would be intensified, with persons with disabilities from across the state expected to join the protest in Shimla. He warned that demonstrators may resort to extreme measures, including nude protests and self-immolation, if their demands continue to be ignored.
The protesters have called for the recruitment of persons with disabilities in line with hiring practices followed in other government departments. The state government has not yet responded to the latest developments.
