Members of Ganjam Bar Association protest at Courtpeta Square in Berhampur on Friday. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, June 27: Members of Ganjam Bar Association today blocked roads at Courtpeta Square here as part of their continuing agitation demanding establishment of a permanent bench of Orissa High Court in the city.

During their road blockade, the agitating lawyers shouted slogans demanding establishment of a permanent bench of the high court in Berhampur. The vehicle of higher education minister Pradip Panigrahi was stranded on the road due to the blockade as he was returning to his house.

“Chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his desire to establish a high court bench in Berhampur when he was the Union minister of steel and mines in 1997. Former President V.V. Giri and former chief minister Biju Patnaik had also openly supported the demand for setting up a high court bench in Berhampur. We would wish to request Naveen to pursue the proposal again,” said president of the association Basant Panda.

Naveen had written a letter to the former Union law minister Kapil Sibal requesting him for establishment of high court benches in south and west Odisha during September last.

“Kapil replied to Naveen to mention the specific place for establishment of the court bench. But, Naveen is still silent on the issue. He must make the ball roll again,” said Panda. The bar association is planning to intensify its agitation.

“During the next course of action, we will contact all trade unions, commerce chambers, NGOs and students’ organisations. Then, we will move to other districts of south Odisha to get their support,” said Panda.