For the first time in the history of southern region of the State here, the entire undivided Koraput district was paralysed for a day on Wednesday due to observation of “Bandh” and economic blockade called by the lawyers demanding a permanent bench of the Odisha High Court in Koraput district.
On a call given by the District Bar Association at Jeypore, lawyers in 11 courts functioning in undivided Koraput district joined their hands demanding a permanent bench of the High Court. As many as 60 social, commercial and non Government organizations supported the genuine demand of the lawyers. The stir affected the bus and train communication for 12 hours. The Government offices and non Government organizations, including commercial establishments, were closed for the entire day and the banks, schools and colleges were also shut down. The movement of buses, trucks, taxis and trains in Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur remained suspended throughout the day.
The lawyers also threatened to boycott next year’s general elections if their legitimate demand is not fulfilled, informed Trinath Singhlal of Koraput District Scheduled Central Co-ordination and Action Committee.
Koraput District Bar Association president Biresh Pattnaik said that all the major political parties and different organisations have already extended their full fledged cooperation and support for establishment of a permanent bench of the High Court at any place in undivided Koraput district.
Senior advocate Prabhakar Pattnaik opined that a majority of people in the south region are tribals and Dalits for whom it is difficult to travel over 500 km to reach Cuttack and attend cases in the High Court. As such, the Government should consider setting up a permanent bench of High Court at Jeypore where adequate infrastructure is available, he said.
Among others, senior advocates Ramesh Panigrahi, Dasarathi Pattnaik, Sasananda Mishra, Narasingha Patnaik, Dinabandhu Agarwal, Balaram Khara, Jagdish Sahu and Madan Mohan Nayak put black badges at Jeypore. The Bandh was also total in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts.