Permanent HC Bench: Economic Blockade Begins In 4 Western Odisha Districts

Sambalpur: Intensifying its agitation demanding a permanent High Court bench, the Western Odisha Lawyers’ Association began a three-day economic blockade in four districts on Monday.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Central Action Committee (CAC) of the Association here on Sunday.

Talking to mediapersons in Sambalpur, CAC spokesperson Sureswar Mishra said the vehicles engaged in transportation of raw materials and finished goods like coal, cement, iron rods and sand to the companies will be detained at different places in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Deogarh districts from today till January 9. “Apart from this, we will also stop the companies from drawing water from the Hirakud reservoir,” he added.

Mishra, however, said that that the vehicles carrying essential consumer items will not be detained.

President of the Sambalpur District Bar Association, Bijitendriya Pradhan said while the Association has been agitating since September 5 last year demanding a permanent High Court Bench, neither the state government nor the Centre has taken any tangible step. This has forced the Association to resort to economic blockade in the four districts of western Odisha.

Meanwhile, the Kalahandi District Bar Association and the Joint Action Committee began a 12-hour bandh in the district demanding a permanent High Court bench on Monday.

All trading establishments, government offices and educational institutions remained closed while vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt in the district due to the bandh supported by all political parties, social organizations and civil societies.

“Kalahandi district is the ideal location in the Western Odisha for a permanent High Court bench as the district, according to the Pal Commission report, fulfils all criteria,” vice-chairman of the Joint Action Committee, Jaya Kumar Singhdeo, told the mediapersons in Bhawanipatna.