Sambalpur, April 28: Lawyers in the city today sat on a dharna in front of the revenue divisional commissioner’s office demanding arrest and removal of district collector Mrinalini Darswal. They also staged a demonstration in front of the office of the superintendent of police.

The lawyers and the district collector were at loggerheads since an incident on April 23, in which the latter was allegedly manhandled and her residential office was ransacked.

While the collector had accused the lawyers of assaulting her, the lawyers, on the other hand, blamed her for misbehaviour. They alleged that the collector had used abusive language against their fraternity.

“We demand her arrest and dismissal. Moreover, the Crime Branch inquiry into the incident is not acceptable. We demand a judicial inquiry into the incident,” said Sambalpur Bar Association president Pramod Rath. The lawyers observed a ‘Demand Day’ today.

The state crime branch police has started its investigation into incident. Three cases had been registered in this connection. Collector Darswal and the district sub-registrar had lodged two separate complaints against the lawyers accusing them of assault and misbehaviour.

On the other hand, the president of Sambalpur Bar Association had also filed a complaint against the collector.

Police had arrested 18 lawyers on the basis of complaints lodged by the collector and district sub-registrar. The arrested lawyers were released by the court on personal recognisance bond.

Today, the lawyers demanded action against the collector on the basis of the complaint lodged by the bar association.

A delegation of the association today met the superintendent of police and pressed for her arrest.

Superintendent of police Nikhil Kanodia said: “The representative of the bar association met me and placed their demands. We will forward their memorandum to the higher authorities.”

Yesterday, senior citizens of the city held a meeting and supported the lawyers’ cause. They also demanded immediate withdrawal of the collector and settlement of the issue through amicable negotiation.