Persons with disability end hunger strike after assurance from admn

Persons with Disability (PwDs) ended their daylong hunger strike after they were assured by the Leh administration that their demands will be reviewed.

A press briefing was held in response to the ongoing protest by PwDs, especially wheelchair users, who have been highlighting issues related to inaccessibility, lack of representation and the need for job reservations.

The hunger strike, which started on April 19, ended on Sunday evening after assurance of the authorities.

The press meet was addressed by Leh Hill Council deputy chairman Tsering Angchuk, Leh DC Santosh Sukhadeve and Leh SSP Shruti Arora.

The protestors have been demanding a disability-inclusive policy, representation in governance, job reservation for wheelchair users, and improved accessibility in public spaces and government buildings.

During the press briefing, Angchuk said a meeting will be held within a week to discuss the issues raised. He assured that all the executive members and concerned officers will be called in the meeting and district-level initiatives will be explored to address the demands.

DC Santosh Sukhadeve said the administration will coordinate with the ARTO and transport department to resolve the pending license-related issues at the earliest. He added that priority will be given to making government buildings and public spaces accessible, and upcoming projects will be designed keeping inclusivity in mind.