Lawyers-Collector row: SCW Chief submits report

BHUBANESWAR: State Commission for Women Chairperson Dr Jyoti Panigrahy has suggested that the State Government form a high-level committee to break the deadlock between agitating lawyers and the Collector of Sambalpur.Panigrahy who submitted her report to the  Government on Thursday stayed clear of any controversy by not taking any sides. The Crime Branch is investigating and law will take its own course in the case.However, in view of the stalemate in the district, the SCW chairperson suggested that a high-level committee be formed, comprising chairman of the State Bar Council, president of Sambalour Bar Association, Director-General of Police, president of IAS Officers Association and Collector of Sambalpur. The committee can sit and sort out the matter, she said in the report.Because of the deadlock, hundreds of litigants - women litigants, to be particular - are suffering. The State is suffering revenue losses and judicial process is being affected too, the SCW chairperson said in her report.Panigrahy, who perused all the related documents in the case and met different parties in Sambalpur, also recommended that during law and order situations, officers must take adequate precautionary measures before proceeding to the spot. Similarly, sufficient police force must be readied to meet exigencies in the districts, the report suggested.The women’s panel head said the major issue to be addressed is to bring the agitation to an end and ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.