**Rourkela: ** Lawyers of Rourkela Bar Association has been observing a 12-hr bandh since morning today demanding establishment of a permanent bench of the Orissa High Court and special district status to Rourkela.
The protesting lawyers blocked NH-143 linking Barkote and NH-5 near Panposh Chhak and SH-10 linking Rourkela-Sundargarh-Sambalpur.
Following the bandh (shut down), the usually busy Steel City wore a deserted look as normal life came to a standstill today. All shops and business establishments downed their shutters while schools, colleges and other educational institutions also remained closed.
The lawyers also resorted to road blockade by burning tyres at Panposh Chhak, Vedvyas Chhak, Bisra Chhak, Chhend Colony Chhak, etc bringing vehicular movement to a grinding halt and hundreds of vehicles tailed behind on both sides of the NH-143 and SH-10 due to the blockade.
Only the movements of Ambulance service and medicals were exempted from the purview of the bandh. On the other hand, both government and private office-goers were seen facing problems as their movements were obstructed by the protesting lawyers.
The agitating lawyers of Rourkela Bar Association have warned the State Government to further intensify their stir if their main demands of establishment of permanent High Court Bench and special district status are not fulfilled with immediate effect.
The bandh was reportedly supported by both Congress and BJP.
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