Sambalpur: Renewing their demand for the establishment of a permanent Orissa High Court bench in western Odisha, the lawyers' associations are observing a dawn-to-dusk bandh today.
The associations are also protesting the move of the State Bar Council, which recently sought disciplinary action against the protesting lawyers. Members of political parties like the BJD and the Congress, various voluntary organisations and general public have extended their full support to the protest.
The impact of the bandh was witnessed since early morning in Sambalpur, Boudh and other parts of the region as courts, government offices, shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed.
The agitators have also staged 'Rail Roko' protest while halting Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express and Bangalore Cant.-Hatia Express at Khetrajpur railway station.
Tension erupted during the bandh observation after police detained several protesters who staged 'Rail Roko' agitation at the station. While Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express has been cancelled after the protest, Bangalore Cant.-Hatia Express was subsequently departed the station.
“We had earlier said that this is not just a lawyers’ protest, rather it is a public movement and it is evident from the participation of large number of public in the Rail Roko protest here today,” said a protesting lawyer.
“We will intensify our protest in future and go to any extent for the fulfilment of our demands. Whatever action is taken, we will not give up and withdraw our agitation,” he added.
Another protesting lawyer alleged that efforts are made to suppress the protest. “It is now a public movement for legitimate demands. We are protesting the efforts being made to suppress our protest. The entire western Odisha is with us,” he said.
Meanwhile, State law minister Pratap Jena said that the demand of the lawyers for establishment of HC bench will be discussed.
It is worth mentioning here that the Odisha State Bar Council, last month, had written a letter to the Bar Council of India (BCI) seeking action against various lawyers associations continuing protests for establishment of High Court bench in western Odisha.
In the letter, the council had recommended disciplinary action against members of 17 lawyers’ associations and central working committees for continuing protest over establishment of permanent HC bench.
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