Lawyers to continue stir over ‘police atrocity’ in Odisha

Cuttack: The agitating lawyers today decided to continue cease work stir over ‘police atrocity’ to put pressure on the government.

The move came at executive committee meeting of Orissa High Court Bar Association held here on Wednesday.

The lawyers’ association decided to continue picketing in front of various government offices as part of intensifying their protest against attack of a lawyer.

However, the decision to gherao Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s residence will be taken at next meeting on Friday.

Last night, Odisha Crime Branch has arrested two police personnel Kishore Jena and Dillip Singh in connecting with attack on lawyer Debi Prasad Patnaik.

The lawyers across the State had joined the strike after Orissa HC Bar Association launched cease work strike against attack on advocate Debi Prasad by cops in Cuttack last month.

He was beaten up by police following an argument over a road accident at Nua Bazaar bridge on August 28.

Taking action against the erring cops, Cuttack DCP Akhileswar Singh suspended two Constables and a Havildar in connection with the attack on the lawyer.

The DCP suspended Constables BK Samal and UK Bhuyan and Havildar PK Behera for ‘police excesses’.

However, the lawyers demanded arrest of the cops who were involved in the incident.

Several meetings have been held to end the deadlock over lawyers-police spat; however, in vain.