Lathicharge on specially-abled people in Pune

A gathering of specially-abled people were brutally lathi-charged by police in Pune on Monday.

The group, comprising mostly of hearing-impaired and speech-impaired youth were demanding setting up of schools and colleges for specially-abled people.

The incident took place outside the Pune collectorate. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, has called for a detailed report on the issue.

With the budget session of the Maharashtra legislature underway, the issue is also set to rock the House on Tuesday.

The Opposition has demanded strict action against the officials who ordered the lathi-charge.

"They should be suspended immediately," leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said. "They are fighting for their rights... they are asking for education facilities. They are not murderers or thieves," he said.

Minister of state for social Justice Dilip Kamble said that a probe has been ordered into the issue. Kamble has invited them for talks in Mumbai on Tuesday.

NCP MP Supriya Sule and others visited them to express solidarity. "What has happened is shocking... this is the arrogance of power," she said and demanded that Fadnavis must issue a statement on the matter.