Bandh hits life in Ganjam

Berhampur, Orissa, Feb 13 (UNI) A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by striking lawyers in support of a permanent bench of Orissa High court in Berhampur, affected life today.

The bandh by and large passed off peacefully with incidents of attack on the offices and vehicles by the bandh supporters.

Vehicles were off the road, business establishments downed their shutters while educational institutions remained closed following the bandh call.

Police said the ICICI office at Dharma Nagar, Public Health Department office at Corporation Road were attacked by the bandh supporters.

The Action Committee of Ganjam Bar Association called for a 12-hour Ganjam bandh to protest 'inordinate' delay in fulfilling their demand of setting up of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court at Berhampur.

The agitating lawyers at many places forced closure of government offices, including Revenue Divisional Commissioner Southern Division, Sub-Collector and Tahasildar Berhampur.

Train services were also disrupted for three hours in the morning as the lawyers squatted at Brahmapur Railway station. The Bandh supporters also blocked the road at Aska Road First Gate, Old Bus Stand, Tata Benz Square, Courtpeta Square in the Silk City and blocked the National Highway at Haldiapadar and Gopalpur junction for several hours, police said.

At least ten platoons of police force were deployed in Berhampur police district and 40 sections of police force were deployed in Ganjam police district to maintain law and order.

Police also kept a strict vigil on the courts at various places in the Ganjam district as the lawyers boycotted them.

UNI XC-DP KK SB RK1928