NEW DELHI: A large number of disabled people took part in the `Walk to Freedom' organised by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) here at the India Gate to celebrate World Disabled Day on Sunday.

The National Association of the Deaf also organised a rally demanding implementation of their demands.

25 NGOs take over

Represented by about 25 non-governmental organisations from Delhi and the neighbouring States, the disabled people took out the march that was flagged off by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

"It was like Holi, Diwali and Christmas all combined together. The participants also gave cultural performances," said NCPEDP executive director Javed Abidi.

Activists of the Rashtriya Vikalang Party, who were staging a demonstration near the India Gate to protest against non-implementation of their demands, tried to block traffic on "C" Hexagon.

The police had to use force to remove the demonstrators. "A delegation of the protesters was later allowed to visit the Chief Minister's residence to submit their memorandum," said a police officer.

Rally

Around 3 p.m., the National Association of the Deaf took out a rally in support of their demands for recognising Indian sign language as a scheduled language.

"Their demand is that Maniram Sharma who topped the list of hearing-impaired candidates in the Civil Services Exams should be placed in the administrative service as he is eligible for the post," said Mr. Abidi, adding that Manoj Sadasivan, a hearing-impaired man who had passed the examination in 2000 but was denied placement, should be reinstated with seniority and adequate compensation.

As the protesters marched towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the police stopped them at Rajpath.

They sat on a dharna at Rajpath demanding hearing by any Minister of their grievances.

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