Cuttack: The agitation for appointment of more judges to Orissa High Court here intensified on Tuesday with the lawyers launching an indefinite hunger strike to press for their demand.

The advocates have been staying away from court since February 12.

Orissa High Court Bar Association president Srikant Kumar Sahu said the relay hunger strike would continue along with cease work.

"Our future course of action will be decided at our general body meeting on Friday," Sahu said.

The high court has been functioning with 16 judges at a time when the sanctioned strength is 27. The last appointment to judgeship was made nearly three years ago.

"As part of our agitation, there will be no filing of cases. No client will be allowed to enter the courtroom to conduct their cases in the absence of lawyers," high court bar association secretary Satyabrata Mohanty said.

"A 10-member steering committee has also been constituted to monitor the process of the strike and subsequent actions and developments related to the association's agitation," Mohanty said.

The association has also decided to submit memorandums to the President, Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, Union law minister, governor of Odisha, Chief Justice of Odisha High Court and the chief minister of Odisha.