The bandh call given by the Advocates' Joint Action Committee, demanding the constitution of a High Court Bench between Guntur and Vijayawada on Wednesday received a good response from various sections of people in both Vijayawada and Guntur.
The agitating lawyers took out a huge rally demanding the establishment of High Court bench, and raised slogans against what they termed the government's "indifferent" attitude to their demand.
Extending support to the lawyers' stir, party leaders, people's organizations and Chambers of Commerce participated in the dharna.
Shops and business establishments, schools and colleges, and offices remained closed. Thin attendance was reported from government offices, and buses and autos were off the roads.
The lawyers resorted to the bandh as their month-long agitation for the constitution of the Bench between Guntur and Vijayawada failed to make any impact on the Government.
The lawyers resorted to dharnas and rasta rokos, and formed human chains obstructing traffic in Vijayawada, Guntur, Bapatla and Narsaraopet.
In Chilakaluripet, the lawyers staged a bike rally protesting the government's attitude. In Vijayawada, lawyers formed a human chain at Benz circle, disrupting traffic there. There was a bike rally from court premises, covering all important roads in the town.
The participants stated that it was no longer an advocates' agitation, as it was the people's wish to have a HC Bench in this part of the State, and hence the need to have larger public involvement.
The lawyers threatened to intensify their agitation if the government delays its decision.
Meanwhile, advocates continued relay hunger strikes in the hospital on Wednesday.
Courtesy: INN
filed in:Lawyers Protest, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Lawyers