Date:29/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/29/stories/2007092961510800.htm

Tamil Nadu

38 visually challenged persons held, freed

Special Correspondent

— Photo: K. Ganesan

Voicing demands: Members of National Federation of the Blind, Tamil Nadu (Madurai Unit), being arrested by the police in Madurai on Friday after they resorted to a road blockade.

MADURAI: Thirty-eight visually challenged persons, including six women, were taken into custody when they resorted to a road blockade here on Friday.

According to police sources, members of the National Federation of the Blind, Tamil Nadu (Madurai unit), blocked the road urging the Chief Minister to hold talks with members of their federation who had organised a relay hunger strike and a series of demonstrations in Chennai in support of a 15-point charter of demands.

Among other grievances, the agitators sought financial assistance to visually challenged students and welfare schemes to the unemployed. Those arrested were released in the evening.