Vehicles stopped during the economic blockade by lawyers in Sambalpur. Telegraph picture

Sambalpur, June 30: Lawyers in Sambalpur launched an economic blockade today demanding the setting up of a permanent high court bench in the region. This was the first time that lawyers have blocked the movement of goods transport vehicles.

Members of Sambalpur Bar Association blocked the national highway, disrupting vehicular movement. The lawyers gathered at Ainthpali Chhak, Remed Chhak and Sindupankh Chhak in the city and stopped the vehicles laden with minerals and other products which are used by the industries. However, the other vehicles were not obstructed.

“We have decided to block only those vehicles carrying goods for the industries of this region. We will not obstruct the other vehicles,” said Pramod Rath, president of Sambalpur Bar Association.

The lawyers in Sambalpur have been protesting for the last three day of every month and were staying off the courts. For the first time, they resorted to such an economic blockade.

On June 28, the lawyers had closed the offices of the district collector, revenue divisional commissioner (northern division) and other state government establishments demanding a permanent high court bench in this region. The agitating lawyers also picketed at Nelson Mandela Square and prevented the entry of judicial officials on the court premises.

The next day, the lawyers had closed down all the banks and the financial institutions.

“The government is apathetic towards our demand. We have been forced to resort to this economic blockade. For more than two years, we have been protesting on the last three days of the month. But this time, we had decided to resort to this kind of protest. Yesterday, we closed down all the banks and financial institutions of the city. Today, we have stopped only those vehicles which were carrying goods for various industries,” said Rath.