The lawyers’ associations of Balangir and Kalahandi districts on Monday took to the streets demanding setting up Permanent Bench of the Orissa High Court in their respective districts.
In Balangir, the ongoing agitation for the establishment of a HC Bench intensified on the day as the Joint Action Committee and the District Bar Sssociation called for a shutdown till December 30.
The members called for closure of all offices, educational institutions and banks during the shutdown.
The protesters were seen picketing at several places of the district resulting in disruption of vehicular communications.
“The agitation for the establishment of a permanent High Court bench in Balangir would be intensified and all the offices of the State and the Central Government, banks, schools, colleges would remain closed from December 24 till December 30 in the district,” said Joint Action Committee convenor Lalit Nayak.
Similarly, in Kalahandi members of the district lawyers’ association observed a 12-hour dawn-to-dusk bandh on the day.
The members of the committee were seen picketing in front of several offices from early morning.
Normal life came to a standstill in the district due to the shutdown of markets, business establishments, financial institutions, court, Government and private offices.
However, educational institutions and vehicular movement were kept out of the purview of the shutdown.
The bandh called by the lawyers gained support of various organisations and political parties in the district.
Meanwhile, adequate security measures were taken by the police to avoid any untoward incident.