Puri lawyers block NH over court relocation plan, vehicular movement affected

Lawyers in Puri on Friday blocked the National Highway at Malatipatpur in protest against the proposed relocation of all courts in the town to an area near the Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary. 

The road blockade, organised by the Puri Bar Association, began at 9 am and will continue till 3 pm as part of efforts to press for reconsideration of the relocation plan.

The agitation comes amid concerns within the legal fraternity that shifting the court complex would adversely affect a large number of people.

Protest At Malatipatpur

According to the Puri Bar Association, members staged a demonstration and enforced a road blockade on the National Highway in front of Malatipatpur during the scheduled hours. 

The association maintained that the protest is aimed at drawing the attention of the State government while the Assembly is in session.

The Secretary of the Puri Bar Association said that this is not only a problem of the lawyers. Lakhs of people will be affected if the courts are shifted. As the Assembly is in session, the objective is to ensure a detailed discussion in the Assembly and to find a solution without relocating the courts.

Lawyers Clarify Stand

One of the protesting lawyers stated, “We are not obstructing emergency services, we are letting exam candidates pass through. Our protest is not against people but it is for them. Lakhs of people would be affected if the courts get relocated. We want this issue to be raised in the Assembly.”

The association reiterated that the protest seeks legislative discussion and an alternative solution instead of proceeding with the proposed shift.

Commuters Affected

Meanwhile, some commuters reported inconvenience due to the blockade. People stranded on the route said they were facing difficulties, with some travelling for the darshan of Lord Jagannath and an elderly couple on their way to visit a sick relative.

The Bar Association has maintained that the protest is in the larger public interest and aimed at safeguarding access to judicial services.