Undivided Koraput lawyers protest demanding permanent HC bench

Koraput: Lawyers of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts came together and protested in front of sub-collector's official residence today demanding a permanent bench of Orissa High Court at Jeypore.

According to sources, BJD Rajya Sabha MP, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik has pledged his support to the campaign. Patnaik assured the bar association members to present their demand before government, informed sources.

"High Court bench can't be established through protests. There are certain laws in our constitution that we should abide by and present our arguments in a legal manner. I believe some solution will definitely come out" said Patnaik after meeting the agitating lawyers.

On the other hand, the bar association members have threatened to intensify their agitation in the coming days alleging that the government has turned a blind eye to their longstanding demand.

Biresh Mohan Patnaik, president of district lawyers association, said "We are on cease-work stir and relay hunger strike. We are presenting our demands before ministers and leaders of political parties and garnering support to make our protest a mass agitation."