Koraput: Members of the Koraput Bar Association are today observing a 12-hour bandh in undivided Koraput district demanding establishment of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court in the region.

Braving the chilly weather, the association members staged picketing and road blockade this morning in Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur districts.

Normal life was affected in these districts as shops, offices, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed while vehicular movement came to a grinding halt.

However, emergency services have been excluded from the ambit of the bandh. Security has been tightened in the districts to avoid any untoward incident.