Rourkela, Sept. 28: The city bar association has roped in several local organisations to back its long-standing demand for setting up a vigilance court here.

Organisations such as Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Haryana Nagarik Samity, Rajasthan Parishad, Koel Sanskritik Parishad and Pancham Veda have thrown their weight behind the lawyers' association on this issue.

At present, one such court operates in Sambalpur. The feeling here is that as the maximum numbers of cases originate from Rourkela and nearby areas, it makes more sense for a court to be set up here.

"We are not soliciting the co-operation of any political parties. We have the support of many associations from the city for the cause," said general secretary of Rourkela Bar Association Raj Kishore Pradhan.

A delegation of the lawyers' association had met the chief justice of Odisha High Court and had apprised him of the need to set up the court in Rourkela. "We got a patient hearing from him," said Pradhan.

President of Rourkela Chambers of Commerce and Industry A. Joshi expressed his solidarity with the bar association's demand.

Joshi said: "We are with this just demand of the association since the maximum number of cases originate from around here. We request the state government to complete the process at the earliest."

Rajasthan Parishad member Tarun K. Malani said: "I and my association are with the bar association because they are making this demand for the benefit of the city."

With the declaration of Rourkela as a smart city, the demand for a vigilance court has gathered momentum. Very soon, the bar association will prepare a joint memorandum and this will be handed over to the state government.

"If the government does not listen to us, we will intensify our agitation," said Pradhan.

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