Agitating members of Sambalpur District Bar Association (SDBA) went a step ahead on Thursday and closed down all banks, insurance offices and Central Government offices adding to the already closed State Government offices and judiciary over their demand for setting up a High Court bench in the region.
The lawyers picketed across the town and said the offices and the financial institutions will remain closed on Friday as well.
Secretary of SDBA Siddharth Sahu said the Bar members will resort to economic blockade on Saturday and block highways at different locations passing through Sambalpur town for five hours from 9 am to 2 pm.
At least 23 organisations including Sambalpur Christian Forum, Odisha Adibasi Dalit Sena , Sambalpur Muslim Citizens Forum and Sambalpur Working Artists Association took out rally to extend solidarity with the agitating lawyers.