Bolangir: As the lawyers’ association intensified their ongoing agitation over establishment of a permanent bench of the Odisha High Court (HC) here; the agitating lawyers took to another stage after some of them tonsured their head as a mark of protest.
Pressing for their long-standing demand, the agitating lawyers launched a separate strike calling for the closure of all civil courts, collectorate, tehsil offices and sub-registrar office for a week beginning Tuesday. The agitators took to the civil courts and other offices where they staged sit-ins in a bid to paralyse the administration.
Besides, the protesters were also seen obstructing District Collector Arindam Dakua from entering his office. The lawyers threatened that they would continue their agitation until their demand is fulfilled. Several outfits, including the Central Action Committee (CAC) also joined in the protest today.
The protestors comprise of lawyers, residents, social activists, members of district bar association. They warned of six more days’ agitation demanding establishment of a High Court bench at Bolangir at the earliest.
The agitation paralysed official work in the civil court and the collectorate as the protesters picketed outside the civil office premises.
The judges who had arrived at the court had to return due to the picketing by the protestors.
The lawyers alleged that the state government has been trying to create dissent among the people of Western Odisha with its ambiguous recommendations. Why the diversion when the Yashwant Singh commission report has clearly identified Bolangir as the venue for the High Court bench.
The agitators reiterated that the state government and the Centre take immediate steps on their demand, failing which they warned of intensifying their movement in the coming days.
PNN
