Western Orissa lawyers demand HC bench, stage demonstrations

Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 (UNI) Lawyers from ten districts of Western Orissa today staged demonstrations in front of the Assembly here demanding setting up of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court in their region.

Later, a 16-member delegation of the agitating lawyers, led by Western Orissa Lawyers Central Action Committee convenor Sirish Ballav Mishra, met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The delegation also discussed the issue with the Home Secretary and Secretary for Law and urged them to initiate steps for the setting up of the bench.

After the meeting, Mr Mishra told newspersons that the attitude of the government seemed to be positive. The Home Secretary, he said, had assured them to examine all aspects and submit a report to the Chief Minister by February 19.

The Chief Minister in turn would recommend the Centre to support the lawyers' demand, Mr Mishra said.

Meanwhile, work at the courts in western Orissa was affected as the lawyers decided to abstain from work for two days beginning today to press their demands.

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