Disabled protesters beaten by Pakistani police

Many of these disabled protesters are blind. They say they want to be treated as equals, especially in the workforce.

But while marching in Lahore, they were stopped by a group of police officers.

... The enounter quickly escalated to violence.

This man was said to be unconscious.

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, these protesters say they got more than what they bargained for:

(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) UNIDENTIFIED BLIND PROTESTER SAYING:

"The police had huge sticks, which seemed almost six feet long, with which they beat us. They picked us up and threw us on the footpath. One boy was pushed under a vehicle, and we had to send him away in an ambulance."

Among those already handicapped, several were reportedly hurt in the scuffles, including one person who suffered serious injuries.