Agitation for circuit bench intensifies

Dharwad, Mar 29 (UNI) Agitators, demanding the early commencement of construction work for setting up a circuit bench of the Karnataka High Court here, laid siege to the Deputy Commissioner's office, even as the fast-unto-death by Dharwad Bar Association President B D Hiremath entered the fifth day today.

Agitators forced the staff to stop work, while members of the Dharwad bar continued to boycott court proceedings for the fifth day and staged rasta roko for over an hour.

City Commissioner of Police N R Nadamani told UNI that the condition of Mr Hiremath was fine and doctors would check him again in the evening. ''If necessary, we will shift him to hospital,'' he added.

A report from Gulbarga said members of the Bar Associations of Gulbarga, Bidar and Raichur districts boycotted court proceedings and took out a procession against the Government's failure in setting up a circuit bench in Gulbarga.

Gulbarga Bar Association President Vijaykumar and General Secretary K Ravindra told UNI that the demand for a circuit bench in the Hyderabad-Karnataka region was long pending.

After taking out a procession from the city court complex to Thimmapuri circle, the agitators submitted a memorandum for the Chief Minister through Deputy Commissioner Anjum Pervez, demanding immediate functioning of circuit bench in the new court complex building until a new building was ready.

The Bar Associations of Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Bellary and Gulbarga districts met today and decided to convene a meeting on April 4 in this regard.

UNI MNP-BSR VD HT2107