The Ganjam Bar Association on Thursday intensified its agitation in support of its demand for setting up of a permanent Bench of the Odisha High Court at Brahmapur, the commercial and educational hub of south Odisha.
The decision to intensify the agitation with new vigour had been taken at an emergency meeting of the Steering Committee of the association led by its president Basanta Kumar Panda held here on Tuesday.
Members of the Bar Association took out an impressive procession from First Gate of Aska Road to labour Office on the first day of the four-day agitation. Hundreds of lawyers, trade union leaders and enthusiastic public carrying placards and chanting slogans against the State Government joined the procession in groups at different strategic places.
Then, a meeting was held in which association president Panda, senior advocate Pramod Kumar Sahu, trade union leader.Bhagirathi Mahapatra and former president of the Bar Kapileswar Pattnaik also spoke. They said the ruling BJD is busy looting chit fund money and has no time to think about establishment of a permanent High Court Bench at Brahmapur.
They also stated that the constitution of the Pal Commission on establishment of HC Benches cost the State exchequer dear and it is sheer eyewash to mislead the public.
later, the lawyers blocked vehicles on the road for about fifteen minutes as a token of their protest. Police forces were deployed to prevent any untoward situation.
Among others, Bar Association secretary Rama Prasad Panda, vice-president Shiva Prasad Mishra and joint secretary Karunakar Panigrahi were present.