Cuttack/Puri Jan. 9: The Orissa High Court Bar Association announced a daylong cease work for tomorrow, demanding immediate arrest of those involved in the murder of a lawyer in Puri.

Lower courts all over the state are expected to observe the cease work expressing their solidarity with their colleagues.

In Puri, the district bar association today staged a roadblock and burnt tyres for the police's failure in arresting the culprits, who had killed Chandan Kumar Behera, the lawyer who used to run a hotel named Sai Kutir and a lodge, Sai Chandan, in Puri.

High court bar association secretary Umesh Chandra Behura told The Telegraph today: "We will boycott court proceedings on Tuesday as a token of protest against the brutal murder of Chandan Kumar Behera."

Unidentified criminals hacked the 45-year-old Behera to death in the town yesterday, when Behera and his friend were entering the hotel premises near Sai Kutir.

Two youths, who were apparently waiting there, suddenly attacked him with sharp weapons. He died on the spot. The police suspected business rivalry as the reason behind the murder.

Behera was also a member of the Puri Bar Association, which has called for a three-day cease work from tomorrow.

District superintendent of police Sarthak Sarangi said: "We have identified the criminals. They are absconding, but will be arrested shortly."

The police said five persons had been detained and the cops were examining CCTV footage of the place. The deceased's body was handed over to his family members.

The police suspected that a land deal could have been the source of dispute between the lawyer and his attackers. But, Behera's wife Nibedita said: "We did not have any enmity with anyone. I don't suspect anyone. I had accompanied him when the land was purchased in Puri."

Besides, lawyers in Puri today staged a demonstration before the district collectorate, protesting against the deteriorating law and order in the town.

They burnt tyres and demanded immediate transfer of the police superintendent.

Puri district bar association president Premananda Mohanty said: "As a mark of protest on police failure to nab the culprits, we will go on a three-day cease work. No one is safe in the city as law and order has collapsed."