22-04-2025
CPM slams 'highhanded' police action against differently-abled in Dharmapuri
The CPM slammed police and the DMK government for its action against members of the differently-abled community.
Scores of differently-abled persons were deboarded from Chennai-bound buses and were arrested in a late-night crackdown on the protesters set to participate in the protests called by the TARATDAC (Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently-Abled and Caregivers) here on Monday night.
Tuesday's protests witnessed differently-abled persons steadfastly refusing to budge and eventually being picked up and held under arrest in Dharmapuri and was held in response to a call by TARATDAC for peaceful assembly in Chennai.
The TARATDAC had called for an assembly of the differently-abled in Chennai on Tuesday to highlight the long-standing demands of the disability rights organisation – starting with enhanced disability pension proportionate to the degrees of disability; reducing the number of working hours for the differently abled; and guaranteeing of employment for differently-abled under the MGNREGS.
On Monday night, hundreds of differently-abled people had boarded over 8 government buses to Chennai, while many had already left buses from Harur and other parts of the district. However, the Dharmapuri district police landed at the bus stand to prevent the buses from taking off, according to the TARATDAC members.
The Communist Party of India(Marxist) slammed the police and the DMK government alleging highhanded action.
In a bid to prevent mobilisation, district police here blockaded over 8 government buses Chennai-bound to participate in the protests called by the TARATDAC, says R. Sisubalan, district secretary, CPM.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Sisubalan slammed the police action. 'The highhandedness of the district police is condemnable. The right to peaceful assembly, unionisation, and all of which are guaranteed under the constitution. The entire night, the differently-abled members were put to immense hardship by the actions of the police.'
