Permanent HC bench: District Lawyers’ Association calls for Sambalpur bandh

Intensifying their demand for the establishment of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court in Western Odisha, the District Lawyers’ Association observed a Sambalpur bandh on Wednesday. 

The association closed all government offices and courts to pile pressure on the government and concerned authorities. The judge of Sambalpur court had to return home after the lawyers closed the court for the day. 
The association picketed at Kacheri Chhak and refrained from doing any court work. They were supported by social organizations and common people.  
However, all offices under the central government, banks and insurance companies and schools and colleges were open. Moreover, all shop establishments and vehicular movements remained unaffected due to the bandh.
The demand for a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in western Odisha at Sambalpur has been mounting for a long time. The lawyers alleged that the Centre had sought a complete proposal for the establishment of a permanent bench, but the Odisha government is not taking any step in this regard.
Sureswar Mishra, President of District Lawyer’s Association said “The State government has gone back on its promise. They have not taken any action. So we are forced to sit in the protest.”