The four-day-long strike launched by Kujang
lawyers was called off on Friday after they held a meeting with District
Judge Anup Kumar Chandan pressing fulfillment of their several
demands.
According to Kujang Bar Association president Sushant Patnaik, “We
had placed two of our prime demands, including starting of Pocso and
family courts at the Kujang judicial complex.”
The District Judge revealed that the Pocso court would function at
Kujang for two days in a month; and functioning of the family court is
not possible at present as the matter is pending at the Orissa High Court
for adjudication. Soon after the High Court delivers its judgment, the
demand would be considered.
Trusting the District Judge's assurance, the bar association called off the
agitation, Patnaik said. However, meanwhile, the Jagatsinghpur Bar
Association has launched a stir demanding starting of Vigilance and
SC/ST courts at the district headquarters. The legal practitioners here
strongly oppose shifting of an additional family court at Kujang.
Pressing the demands, the Jagatsinghpur advocates have begun the strike
since May 4, as a consequence of which criminal and civil courts have
become nonfunctional.
“The agitation would continue for an indefinite period until our demands
are met,” said Jagatsinghpur Bar Association president Pramod Swain.