72-hrs economic blockade paralyses life in 4 W Odisha districts

Sambalpur: Vehicular movements came to a grinding halt in four districts-Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Deogarh after lawyers resorted to a 72-hour economic blockade starting today, further intensifying their demand for establishment of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court (HC) in western Odisha.

In Sambalpur, agitating lawyers under the banner of Sambalpur District Bar Association staged picketing at its two entry points- Ainthapali and Dhanupali squares. The activists also blocked the national highway passing through the town. They alleged that they have been staging agitation for the last two months pressing for fulfillment of their genuine demand, but no step has been taken in this regard till yet.

Hundreds of goods and fuel carriers were seen stranded on both sides of road at different locations in the four districts. Production at various plants and factories has also been affected due to the shutdown.

The activists also threatened that they would further intensify their stir coming days if their demand is not met at the earliest.