Sambalpur, April 29: The central action committee of the Western Odisha Bar Associations today decided to call for a western Odisha strike on May 8, demanding arrest and transfer of Sambalpur collector Mrinalini Darswal, who had allegedly misbehaved and used abusive language against the legal fraternity.

The committee has given a seven-day ultimatum to the Odisha government.

If the government fails to initiate action against the collector within a week, the committee will observe the strike on May 8.

“We condemn the Sambalpur collector’s behaviour. We demand her arrest and transfer,” said Ashok Dash, convenor of the committee.

“Police arrested 18 lawyers on the basis of the collector’s complaint. Now, the police should take action on the complaint lodged by the lawyers,” said Dash.

In another development, the Sambalpur Bar Association has also decided to resort to cease work till May 7, demanding arrest and removal of the collector.

Similarly, the Jharsuguda Bar Association has also decided to call for Jharsuguda strike on May 1.

The lawyers of Jharsuguda would also boycott the court next day, said president of the Jharsuguda Bar Association Sudhansu Purohit.