Cuttack: Litigants continued to suffer for another day on Monday as advocates of Orissa high court decided to intensify their agitation.

The lawyers, who have been abstaining from attending court work since February 12 protesting against alleged inaction in appointment of judges to fill up vacancies in the court, decided to start relay hunger strike from Tuesday. The lawyers are peeved as no judge has been appointed in the high court for nearly three years. At present, the high court is functioning with less than 60 per cent of the sanctioned strength.

Hundreds of cases, including bail pleas and anticipatory bail applications went without hearing, as proceedings remained paralysed.

The high court bar association secretary, Satyabrata Mohanty, said the general body of the association on Monday decided to start relay hunger strike to press for immediate filling up of vacancies in the posts of judges.

"The relay hunger strike from Tuesday along with cease work will continue indefinitely. Our next course of action will be decided at a meeting of the general body at 1.20pm on Friday," Mohanty said. He added the association would submit its representation along with demands to the Chief Justice of the Orissa high court.