Demand for HC Bench: Lawyers observe dawn-to dusk bandh in undivided Koraput

Koraput/ Malkangiri/Rayagada/Nabarangpur: Demanding a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in undivided Koraput district the Joint Working Committee (JAC) is observing a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts today.

Despite inclement weather under the impact of cyclonic storm ‘Phethai’, the members of the committee were seen picketing on highways and in front of several offices from early morning today. Lawyers also reportedly did not allow judges to enter court premises including the District and Sessions Judge Court in Koraput due to which judiciary proceedings have been hit.

Normal life came to a grinding halt in the districts due to the bandh with markets, business establishments, educational institutions and government offices staying off limits while vehicular movement and railway services have also been adversely affected due to the shutdown.

However, emergency services have been kept out of the purview of the shutdown.

Meanwhile, adequate security measures have been taken by the concerned district authorities to avoid any untoward incident.

Members of the JWC allege that despite repeated requests, the government had not paid been paying any heed to their demands for setting up a permanent bench of the state's apex judiciary body in the undivided Koraput.

Extending support to the bandh called by lawyers, BJD leader Rabi Nanda & Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati demanded establishment of permanent HC Bench in the undivided Koraput.