Srinagar: A protest was held in Srinagar, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as demonstrators marked World Disability Day by highlighting ongoing challenges faced by the disabled community.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the protest was organized by the IIOJK Handicapped Association at the Press Enclave in Srinagar, where participants demanded immediate action to address their grievances. The protesters carried banners and raised slogans, calling for significant policy changes to enhance their welfare. Among their key demands were a special recruitment drive for qualified disabled individuals, an increase in the monthly disability pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000, and the provision of low-interest subsidized loans. They also advocated for a shift in the government job reservation system from horizontal to vertical and a 4% reservation for persons with disabilities in legislative assemblies, municipal bodies, and educational institutions.

Another protester highlighted the need for vertical reservation in government and semi-government jobs and emphasized the inclusion of disabled persons in employment opportunities. The demonstration drew attention to unfulfilled promises of support and inclusion, illustrating the frustration within the disabled community over the perceived lack of meaningful action.

The association urged authorities to promptly address these issues and ensure the effective implementation of policies designed to uplift the disabled community in the region.