Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) have padlocked the District Education Office in Jumla on April 15 stating that their demands regarding education were not addressed. A police team led by Inspector Prem Bahadur Khadka broke the padlock at 11 am. The PwDs padlocked the DEO after the 5-member team formed under the coordination of School Inspector Tularaj Chaulagain on March 29 failed to take any steps regarding various demands, including management of special classes being conducted in the district, the appointment of the able-bodied person as accounts coordinator. Police used force to break the padlock injuring some PwDs and policemen. Chairperson of Disabled Rehabilitation and Development Centre Netra Bahadur Shahi said that canes, wheelchairs of some PwDs were damaged in the incident. He demanded that the government provided compensation to the PwDs, condemning the use of force by police.

Inspector Prem Bahadur Khadka said that the police were compelled to use force as the agitating PwDs refused to solve the issue by holding talks. An agreement was struck between the two sides later to form another 6-member probe committee led by Acting CDO Gokarna Nath Yogi. National Human Rights Commission, Women and Children Office, Federation of Nepali Journalists, INSEC police administration mediated the talk. The committee will start its work from April 16 and submit its report to the DEO Jumla and further action would be taken.

Man Datta Rawal