Mkts, schools, OPDs shut as support for HC bench in west UP grows

Meerut: Several districts in western UP, including Meerut, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, etc, witnessed shutdown of markets and other establishments as several trade organisations, schools and the Indian Medical Association have lent support to a massive agitation by lawyers reiterating their demand for a West UP Bench of the high court.While the shutters were down, the agitators raised slogans at the major crossings to bring home the point. In Meerut, over 40 teams of advocates conducted mass contact with locals in various localities for support.Sanjay Sharma, Meerut Bar Association and president of Central Action Committee for the establishment of HC Bench, said, "After a long time, many associations came out to support the demand that has been pending for more than 50 years.More than 20 districts of western UP participated in the bandh. In Meerut, all markets, schools and hospitals' OPDs remained closed. Our teams visited different localities to seek support for a demand which is connected to every common man in the Western region of the vast state of UP."Sanjay Kansal, president of Hapur Bar Association, elaborated upon the need for an HC bench, "Most of the western UP districts are about 600 to 800 km from the Allahabad high court, and a litigant has to travel all the way, spending a huge amount of money and time. It may be noted that HCs of several other states in north India are much nearer to us while the Supreme Court is merely 70 km away. This is injustice."Similarly, a widespread market shutdown was observed in Bulandshahr on Wednesday over the demand for the establishment of a HC bench. Acting on a call given by the Vyapari Suraksha Forum and various other traders' and social organisations, shops in major markets across the district remained closed from the morning. The impact of the bandh was clearly visible in Ansari Road, Chowk Bazaar and other commercial areas.During the bandh, the police and district administrations remained on alert. Police personnel were deployed in sensitive areas to maintain law and order. While some shops began to open partially in a few areas in the afternoon, the impact of the shutdown continued to be felt in most markets until evening. Traders have warned that if a prompt decision is not taken on their demand, the agitation will be intensified and expanded across the state.Notably, the first time the demand for the HC bench was made was in 1955 when Dr Sampoornand was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. In 1976, the then UP govt proposed to make a bench of Allahabad HC in Meerut.The proposal was reiterated in 1978, 1979 and 1981. In 1985, the Jaswant Singh Commission recommended a HC bench in UP West, and ever since, several attempts and presentations have been made to get a Bench here, but nothing concrete has happened on the ground zero.