Sambalpur, May 4: A seven-member team of the Odisha State Bar Council today met representatives of the Sambalpur Bar Association and district collector Mrinalini Darswal to discuss about the April 23 violence in which some local lawyers allegedly manhandled her.

Darswal had alleged that she was manhandled and her official residence was ransacked by the lawyers on April 23. The lawyers, however, had accused her of misbehaving with them. They have resorted to ceasework since May 1 demanding her arrest and dismissal. “After receiving complaints from both sides, we have come here to ascertain the facts. We met the representatives of Sambalpur Bar Association. We will also meet the collector,” said vice-chairman of Odisha State Bar Council Ramakanta Sahu, who led the team.

The local lawyers, however, continued with their ceasework and dharna in front of the office of the inspector general of police demanding arrest of Darswal.

Several other allied organisations and other district bar associations are also supporting the agitation. Yesterday, the lawyers of Balangir had sat on a dharna. Their colleagues in Phulbani have also expressed solidarity with the protesters.

Lawyers of Orissa High Court and other courts of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other parts of the state had also boycotted court proceedings.