The Government offices, local urban bodies and banks in Khariar and Nuapada towns remained closed for the third day due to a bandh call by the bar associations of Nuapada and Khariar, demanding establishment of a permanent Bench of the High Court in western Odisha. The district level officials, including the Collector of Nuapada, were also not able to attend their offices due to the strike.
The Bar Association of Khariar and the District Bar Association of Nuapada expressed their dissatisfaction over the failure of the State Government to address the issue of separate bench. “We are aggrieved over the nonchalant attitude of the Government in relation to the establishment of a permanent HC bench,” the members said. These associations also condemned the statement of the High Court Bar, which had earlier expressed that the demand of the western Odisha for a permanent bench was unconstitutional.
“The opposition of the High Court Bar Association to the genuine demand of the western Odisha people is unethical and we strongly condemn such attitude,” said Khariar Bar joint secretary Chittaranjan Sing Deo. “The statement by the Cuttack Bar Association lawyers is unfortunate. It will certainly encourage the demand for the separate Kosal State,” said Nuapada Bar Association president Prasanna Padhi, who is also the president of the BJD district unit.
“We are awaiting the decision of the Central Action Committee of western Odisha lawyers to decide our future course of action,” Khariar Bar Association president Sarada Panda said.
Meanwhile, the members of Kosal Kranti Dal at Khariar conducted a meeting on Friday and expressed its support to the advocates.