Talks between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and agitating lawyers from western Odisha over the establishment of a permanent bench of the High Court in the region failed as the Central Action Committee (CAC) of All-Western Odisha Bar Associations rejected the assurances given by the CM and announced to intensify its stir.
“We are thoroughly disappointed over the outcome of the talks. We had hoped that the Chief Minister would respect the 50-year-old demand of western Odisha and make concrete announcements. His statement is full of contradictions. We are not satisfied with his remarks,” CAC convenor Ashok Das told mediapersons.
Das said their two demands before the Chief Minister were withdrawal of Justice C R Pal Commission and the State Government’s recommendation to the Centre favouring establishment of a permanent bench in the western region. The C R Pal Commission had been formed to decide whether a permanent bench should be set up in western region. The CAC also demanded that the Assembly adopt a resolution on setting up the bench in Western Odisha.