Demand For HC Bench: Stir Intensifies In Balangir

Balangir: The stir over the demand for a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in western Odisha has been intensified in Balangir district.

Court, tehsil and district collector office have been closed from Tuesday to December 10.

Notably, the Balangir Lawyers’ Association and Central Action Committee (CAC) observed 24-hour bandh in Balangir on Monday. Government and private offices, educational institutions, markets, and  business establishments had downed shutters owing to the bandh.

Political leaders cutting across party lines, public and labours’ associations, and social organizations have been supporting the strike. Around 200 organisations have supported the bandh in the district.

“Supporting the 24-hour bandh, we were present at the place of dharna from Monday morning to Tuesday morning. We did not allow a single vehicle to pass the stretch. Our strike is on and the collectorate will be closed for seven days. The civil court will also be closed for seven days,” said leader of the labourers Lalit Nayak.

Following blockades and picketing by the members, vehicular movement remained disrupted in the district yesterday.

The agitators were seen picketing since morning on Monday and train services were also affected due to Rail Roko agitation.

Even sweepers supported the strike and did not turn up for work on Monday morning.

However, emergency services like health and ambulance service were kept out of the purview of the bandh.

Notably, 48-hour ‘Maha Bandh’ on November 29 and 30  had affected normal life in Sambalpur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur and Sundargarh districts.

The Central Action Committee (CAC) of All Western Odisha Bar Association (AWOBA) had called for the bandh, demanding a permanent High Court bench in western Odisha.