‘Respect the rights of Persons with Disabilities’ - KOHIMA

Youth Action for Rural Development (YARD) conducted sensitization programme for community leaders on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at Jakhama village on February 27.  

Asst. Professor at Kohima Law College, Kezhokhoto Savi, who is also president of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) & Convenor of ACAUT Nagaland (legal cell), was the main resource person. A press release from NVCO Press & Media Cell informed that Savi termed the misappropriation of funds under Inclusive Education of the Disabled at the Secondary Stage (IEDSS) to the tune of Rs.12.79 crores as “serious and shameful deeds of corruption” causing huge loss towards human resource development of the Persons with Disabilities in the State. In this regard, he strongly appealed to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption department to investigate the corrupt practices with sincerity and integrity for the interest of justice and to ensure the rights of the Persons with Disabilities in particular.

As a social activist, Savi appealed to the community leaders from 12 villages of Southern Angami area representing village councils, churches, youth, students, women, etc to respect the rights of Persons with Disabilities. He apprised of the requirement to form ‘Disability Rights Movement’ to secure equal opportunity and rights for Persons with Disabilities and also to fight against embezzling the shares of Person with Disabilities in the State. He further appealed to provide capacity building to empower them.

Meanwhile, Savi highlighted that the rights of Persons with Disabilities are to be respected and implemented as per the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, Mental Health Act 1987, National Trust Act 1999, etc. “It is also very disheartening to learn that the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities have not been provided any infrastructure to execute the most important functions in protecting and promoting the rights of person with disabilities in the state of Nagaland,” he stated. “The rights of Persons with Disabilities may also be honoured in accessibility and safety in transportation, architecture and the physical environment, equal opportunities in independent living, employment, education, housing, and also freedom from abuse, neglect, violations of patient rights, etc.”



Source: The Morung Express,1st March 2015