Differently abled people arrested : ERODE

Seventeen persons with disabilities were arrested on Thursday when they attempted to move into the Railway Junction as a group shouting slogans demanding that the Southern Railway hold talks with representatives of the Federation of Differently Abled Associations, who had staged a demonstration at the Chennai Central Railway Station on Wednesday, protesting against encroachment of an exclusive parking space meant for the disabled people.

The protestors led by S. Durairaj, president of Erode District Disabled Welfare Association, demanded provision of basic facilities, including lavatories and parking lots for the disabled in all stations.

They wanted stringent action against able-bodied people who occupied seats in coaches meant for the disabled. Seats must be earmarked for the disabled in three compartments in every train: the coach behind the engine, and the other two in the centre part and last compartment.

The position of compartments in each train must be announced through the public address system or indicated on the notice board. Others utilising the earmarked seats must be fined, the protestors said and sought priority for the disabled at reservation counters.

The arrested persons were released later in the day.


Source : The Hindu , 20th Dec 2013