Members the Balangir Action Committee (BAC) led by Gopalji Panigrahi on Monday staged a dharna before the Collectorate demanding setting up a permanent Bench of the Orissa High Court at Balangir.
They condemned a resolution by the High Court Bar Association urging the Chief Justice of HC not to give his assent to same which is against setting up of a High Court Bench elsewhere.
“Earlier, a HC Bench was functioning here in the pre independence days. We demand setting up a permanent Bench at Balangir, failing which the agitation will be intensified,” warned BAC president Panigrahi.
Moreover, members of the Balangir Bar Association led by its president Amrish Tripathy also staged protest before the Collectorate. condemning the resolution of the HC Bar Association and demanded a HC Bench at Balangir.
BJP members led by party district president Shivaji Mohanty also joined the dharna and supported the demand.
Balangir MLA and senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra in a tweet said, "Condemn the HC Bar resolution against establishment of permanent Bench of high court in western Odisha. The CMO should initiate a consultation process with the Chief Justice as per the latest letter by the Union Minister of Law immediately."
