Bandh for Circuit Bench observed

Baripada, Nov 27 (UNI) Aagami Mayurbhanj sponsored dawn-to-dusk bandh, demanding establishment of a Circuit Bench of Orissa High Court crippled normal life in north Orissa town today.

The outfit claimed that late Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo, the last king of the Bhanja dynasty, had established a High Court at Baripada on April 10,1933. The Maharaja then appointed one Chief Justice and two judges who were well-known legal luminaries of the country.

With the legacy of an excellent judicial system existing during the ''Raj Rule'', the claim of the people of Mayurbhanj for the establishment of a Circuit Bench of the Orissa High Court at Baripada is quite justified, the bandh supporters said.

State and Central government offices, Judicial and executive courts, banks, commercial establishments, industrial units and shops remained closed following the bandh call.

The streets in the town wore a deserted look. Bus services on local and inter-state routes including other means of public transport system were totally paralysed.

''Aagami Mayurbhanj'' President Krushna Chandra Das claimed the bandh a success and complimented the residents of Baripada for the spontaneous response to the call.

UNI