Bhubaneswar, 20 February (H.S.): Vehicular movement was disrupted on Friday after lawyers in Puri blocked the National Highway at Malatipatpur, protesting the proposed relocation of all courts in the town to an area near the Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary.

The road blockade, organised by the Puri Bar Association, began at 9:00 am and was scheduled to continue till 3:00 pm as part of efforts to press the State government to reconsider the relocation plan.

Members of the association staged a demonstration and enforced the blockade along the highway during the announced hours. The protest coincides with the ongoing Assembly session, with the lawyers aiming to draw the government’s attention to their concerns.

The legal fraternity has expressed apprehension that shifting the court complex would adversely affect a large number of people, including litigants and residents who depend on easy access to judicial services.

The Secretary of the Puri Bar Association stated that the issue is not limited to lawyers alone and that lakhs of people would be impacted if the courts are relocated. He added that the objective of the agitation is to ensure a detailed discussion in the Assembly and to arrive at a solution without shifting the courts.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda