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Saturday, April 25, 2009

South Orissa lawyers observe ‘black day’

ERHAMPUR: Lawyers of the Ganjam Bar Association boycotted court and observed black day on April 22. They were protesting against the lathicharge against the senior lawyers on the Berhampur court premises on the date, a year ago. The lawyers wore black badges and boycotted court proceedings. They held demonstration in front of the Berhampur court demanding the establishment of a permanent High Court bench in the city. It is noteworthy that the Ganjam Bar Association had resorted to strike of over five months on the issue. The long agitation had totally disrupted legal process in Berhampur and at several other courts of South Orissa. They called off their strike in May 2008. Since the day the lawyers have been continuing their token strike for the demand of permanent High Court bench. They have been boycotting court on last four days of every month for their demand. It may be noted that.
During their demonstration, the general secretary of the Ganjam Bar Association, Mr. Panda and other lawyers of the association criticized Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for sidelining the issue by forming a commission to enquire into it. “The commission that had been formed to enquire into the matter is yet to furnish its report even after a year,” alleged the senior lawyers of the association. They also pointed out that even the police had failed to submit charge sheet against the 30 lawyers it had arrested on April 22, 2008.
The Pradeep Panda said they decided to hold a general body meeting of the association after the declaration of election results. At the meeting, they would decide their future course of action regarding their long-standing demand and the modes to take it up with the new government in the State.

The Hindu

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