The lawyers’ strike has put a big question mark on the state government employees getting salary before Nuakhai that will be celebrated on September 10. All government offices in Sambalpur, including that of the RDC and district collector, municipality and other revenue offices and courts are shut since August 20.
“We understand the plight of government employees. But we are left with no option as our agitation has now become a people’s movement. So we appeal to them to cooperate us by extending their whole-hearted support,” said secretary of Sambalpur Bar Association Siddharth Sahu.
He said though the Central Action Committee (CAC) of Western Odisha bar associations decided at its Jharsuguda meeting on Thursday to relax the agitation from September 1 to September 15 in view of Ganesh Puja and Nuakhai, the Sambalpur bar has decided to intensify its agitation by closing down the offices without any break. “Banks and central government offices will be allowed to operate,” Sahu said.
On Saturday, lawyers staged a road blockade from 9 am to 1 pm at Ainthapali on NH 6, Bhalupali on Jharsuguda express highway and Sindurpank chowk on NH 54. “It passed off peacefully,” said SDPO (Sambalpur) P K Mohapatra.
