On the second day of the ‘Maha Bandh’ called by the lawyers’ associations demanding a permanent Bench of the Orissa High Court in the western part of the State, the situation deteriorated further on Friday with the organisers sticking to their earlier decision of putting pressure on the Government through the agitation.
While locals coped with the bandh with almost no difficulty, it was outsiders who felt the pinch as life was totally miserable for them as they had to face problems in all fronts.
However, thanks to many social organisations including ‘Swaschha’, they were provided with cooked food.
The locals came forward spontaneously to cooperate with the lawyers. Moreover, active support from the 180 socio-cultural organisations and civil societies gave a boost to the lawyers’ Central Action Committee (CAC) agitation.
The Krushak Sangathan of Sambalpur was also seen being very active during the bandh from urban to rural areas. “Farmers are unable to move to Cuttack High Court for their problems. Only a High Court bench here can enable them to get justice at the doorstep. It would also be helpful to all other poor people besides farmers,” said a leading farmer leader of Tabla, Debndra Pradhan
Like Thursday, Sambalpur MLA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi was also present at the dharna site to express her support for the demand of High Court bench. Congress leader Aswini Guru was also present during the bandh.
Similarly, BJP national general secretary Suresh Pujari, while supporting the cause of the lawyers spoke on the technical negligence of the State Government in this regard.
“The agitation doesn’t here. We will chalk out the future course of action in our next meeting,” said CAC’S Sureswar Mishra.
“A High Court Bench is our demand and we will get it at any cost. Hence, it is both State and Central Government to think with seriousness. We will never compromise with our genuine demand,” Mishra added.
On the other side, the stranded passengers in Sambalpur railway station narrated their woes on Thursday night. “Some organisations provided us food. But we can’t forget the mosquito bite,” the passengers said. “We can’t forget these 48 hours at the railway station,” they said with a heavy heart. They also blamed railways for their misery as it didn’t apprise them of the situation earlier.
Similarly, truckers were also seen in very pathetic condition. Those carrying perishable goods like vegetables, fruits were very much worried for the heavy loss they are going to incur. “Who will recuperate the loss,” they ask. “We are sure to make loss of lakhs of rupees that worries us,” said Dharam Singh, a truck driver from Maharastra carrying full truck load of cabbage to Kolkata.
The districts of Jharsuguda, Deogarh and parts of Bargarh, Subarnapur, Sundargarh were also affected by the bandh.