Sambalpur: With the 48-hour 'Maha Bandh' called by the Central Action Committee (CAC) of All-Western Odisha Bar Association (AWOBA) for establishment of a permanent High Court bench in western Odisha underway today, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Narasingha Mishra has extended his support to the CAC's demand.
“Though the Centre and State government are saying that policy decision regarding the setting up of permanent HC bench in western Odisha has been taken, it only seems to be like lip service. There is a lack of interest on the part of both the Centre and State government to address the issue,” stated Mishra.
On the other hand, the CAC has threatened to intensify the stir if their demands are not fulfilled even after the 'Maha Bandh'.
Vehicular movement in Sambalpur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Subarnapur and Sundergarh districts have been severely affected due to the shutdown. Shops, educational institutions, business establishments and markets have also remained closed due to the bandh. However, emergency services have been kept out of the purview of the strike.
Lawyers' associations of different districts including the Sambalpur Bar Association and social and cultural organisations of western Odisha have taken part in the two-day-long bandh. On the other hand, bar associations of Kalahandi, Nuapada, Bolangir, Rourkela and Bargarh have not participated in the shutdown.