Violence mars lawyers' agitation in Meerut

An agitation by lawyers demanding a high court bench in western Uttar Pradesh turned violent in Meerut Wednesday when civil administration employees confronted the agitating lawyers.

Ghaziabad lawyers also took out a procession at the collectorate and court compound. After the Meerut violence, the Ghaziabad bar has given a call for boycott of court proceedings Thursday.

Meerut Bar Association president Jaivir Singh Rana said the agitation was absolutely peaceful but half a dozen lawyers sustained critical injuries after being confronted by district administration employees.

The lawyers have reiterated their demand to transfer the district magistrate.

Ghaziabad Bar Association president Rakesh Tyagi (Kakra) said the Meerut administration used police force against the agitating lawyers.

On Wednesday, the Ghaziabad lawyers remained on strike and took out a procession to awaken the public regarding the demand for a high court bench in western Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier, the lawyers staged a dharna (sit-in) and stalled traffic movement on NH-58, NH-24, Grand Trunk Road and other city roads.

Tyagi rued that western Uttar Pradesh with a population of 80 million and spread over 98,939 sq km has no high court bench while states where just 10 lakh people reside have a full-fledged high court.