Demanding a permanent High Court bench, the All Western Odisha Lawyers’ Association launched a week-long cease-work agitation from today.
As per sources, all members of the bar associations of all Western Odisha districts began their week-long agitation from today till February 24 in the region. Offices of both state and central governments, courts and banking institutions will remain closed, sources added.
However, schools, colleges, hospitals and other business establishments will continue functioning normally, informed by the association.
The committee has also decided to boycott all legal activities in the state.
Reportedly, lawyers of the region had been agitating for a bench for the past 40 years. The association had earlier threatened to intensify their agitation if the state government fails to settle the issue of establishment of Orissa High Court bench in Western Odisha.
On the other hand, the Rourkela Bar Association passed a unanimous resolution to boycott the court proceedings till February 24 alleging that their seven-point charter of demands have not been fulfilled despite repeated requests.
Besides establishment of a permanent bench of High Court in Rourkela, their demands include immediate appointment of judges against the vacancies and establishment of a record room in Rourkela among others.
Meanwhile, demanding establishment of permanent High Court bench in Bolangir and not in any other place in Western Odisha, the district Bar Association pulled out of the cease-work agitation called by the All Western Odisha Lawyers’ Association.
