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GV Blind people shouting slogans moving towards Minto rail bridge in Delhi
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SV Police on guard duty at bridge
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GV Demonstrators clashing with police
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CUs Blind people shouting slogans (2 shots)
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GV Blind man being held by police
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GV Train passing over bridge
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GVs Demonstrators being hauled onto trucks (3 shots)
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GV Demonstrator resisting arrest
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GV Police lifting man onto back of truck and protestor sitting on ground (2 shots)
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GV Loaded truck driving away
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: INTRODUCTION: In India, 23 blind people were sent to jail for a week on Friday (23 January), after a demonstration to back their demand for jobs.

SYNOPSIS: Demonstrators from the National Federation of the Blind marched to the Minto railway bridge in New Delhi, with the object of trying to stop the trains. The march had been announced in advance, and police were waiting for them. The organisers said some blind people were hurt when the police pushed and dragged them, but the police denied this. The demonstrators shouted "jail or jobs" as they tried to break through the cordon.

Police treatment of blind and disabled demonstrators is a controversial matter in India. The Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, said she was "deeply sorry" about an incident last March, in which police with canes charged a procession of blind men. About a hundred people were hurt -- four badly enough to need hospital treatment. An enquiry was ordered.

The Indian government has just announced that each government department will take on at least one blind person before the end of February, as well as offering jobs to people with other disabilities. But the National Federation of the Blind has said only a few departments have made any firm commitment, and others have categorically refused to find jobs for the blind.