Tension prevailed in Puri on Friday as members of the Puri Bar Association staged a road blockade on the National Highway at Malatipatpur, opposing the proposed relocation of courts in the town to an area near the Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary. The protest began at 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 3 pm.
According to the association, the relocation would adversely impact lakhs of people who depend on easy access to judicial services. Lawyers argued that shifting the court complex away from the town centre could create logistical challenges for litigants, legal professionals, and the general public.
The agitation was organised to draw the attention of the State government while the Assembly is in session. The Secretary of the Puri Bar Association stated that the issue extends beyond the legal fraternity, affecting a broad cross-section of citizens. The association has urged the government to facilitate a detailed discussion in the Assembly and explore alternative solutions without proceeding with the relocation.
During the protest, lawyers clarified that emergency services were not being obstructed, and exam candidates were being allowed to pass through the blockade. However, several commuters reported inconvenience due to the disruption. Some were travelling for darshan of Lord Jagannath, while others were on urgent personal visits, including an elderly couple heading to see a sick relative.
Despite the inconvenience caused, the Bar Association maintained that the protest was conducted in the larger public interest to safeguard access to judicial infrastructure and ensure that decisions impacting thousands are taken after thorough deliberation.
