The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Move on HC benches criticised

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Tuesday, Feb 26, 2008
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Move on HC benches criticised

Staff Reporter

Lawyers firm on boycotting MLAs of the district, including Naveen Patnaik

They decide to hold black flag demo today
Security tightened for Naveen Patnaik’s visit

— Photo: Lingaraj Panda

Striking lawyers staging a demonstration in Berhampur on Monday.

BERHAMPUR: The Ganjam Bar Association condemned the recent decision of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to establish a one-man commission comprising a retired High Court judge to study the feasibility of establishment of High Court benches in the State.

At a meeting of the bar association held in the city on Monday, the lawyers decided to stick to their earlier decision of boycotting all MLAs of the district, which included the Chief Minister, who represents the Hinjli constituency. Secretary of the bar association Mohan Singari said the lawyers had decided to hold peaceful demonstrations with black flags during the visit of the Chief Minister to the city on Tuesday.

Resolution

The lawyers also burnt an effigy of the Chief Minister near the court premises on Monday.

They alleged that the Chief Minister was trying to sideline the demand for establishment of High Court benches through the establishment of the commission. The commission was to provide its report in six months.

The members of the bar felt rather than opting for this commission, the Government could have got the resolution passed by the State Cabinet and sent it to the Union Government.

In the evening, the action committee for the agitation of lawyers also held an emergency meeting.

It was attended by representatives of bar associations of all other bar associations of the district who have been on strike in support of the demand.

At this meeting the decision of the Chief Minister to establish a commission was condemned.

But most of the other bars thought in terms of joining work. But members of the Ganjam bar association of Berhampur, which is spearheading the agitation has decided to continue cease-work, which is almost three months long.

Police security has been increased in the city for the Chief Minister’s visit on Tuesday. The threat of naxals after the Nayagarh incident and the threat of black flag demonstration against the Chief Minister are also factors. Vehicles entering the city aree being searched at night by police.

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