BARGARH:Normal life was paralysed in Barpali under the by-poll bound Bijepur Assembly constituency here due to 12-hour dawn to dusk bandh called by the local bar association demanding sub-division status for the town on Wednesday.
The bandh saw closure of government and private offices, courts, business establishments, market, educational institutions, while the vehicular movement was also disrupted.Lawyers and members of Milita Kriyanusthan Committee, Barpali picketed at several places in the town and blocked Bargarh-Borigumma National Highway-26 at Gandhi Chowk.However, the agitators exempted the emergency services from the bandh. Even the students of Class-X were allowed to appear their test examination.
They have been demanding to form Barpali sub-division comprising Barpali NAC, 23 gram panchayas of Barpali block and Jaring panchayat in Bijepur block, besides Ainlapali, Resam, Areigudi and Luhakhandi in Bheden block of the district since long. President of Barpali Bar Association Tarapada Tripathy said political parties cutting across party lines, various social organisations, students, merchant associations and people from all walks of life extended support to the bandh.
Earlier, they had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister in 2013. Late Subal Sahu, who was MLA from Bijepur, had also raised the question over the issue in the State Assembly and the Government had said that the demand was under consideration. However, the State Government is yet to declare Barpali as sub-division, he added.
Tripathy said Barpali, which is second largest town of the district, fulfils all the criteria to become a sub-divisional headquarter. It is strategically located and people will be benefited after formation of the sub-division, he added.