CUTTACK: As the Orissa High Court Friday adjourned to Monday the hearing of a writ petition on the two-month-long lawyers-police standoff in the state, the lawyers decided to extend their cease-work protest till the date of hearing in the matter. A division bench headed by Chief Justice K S Jhaveri sought the report on the four criminal cases arising out of the police-lawyers fracas on August 28 which was submitted by Justice C R Dash in a sealed cover.The police investigation into the cases are being supervised by Justice Dash.IGP Arun Bothra of the state crime branch is investigating the cases as per the directions of the Supreme Court.The high court bar association extended its over two-month-long cease-work protest till Monday and the general body of the association decided to meet that afternoon to chalk out its next course of action.The bar association also discussed the recent invitation given by state Director General of Police R P Sharma to executive members of the bar association for discussions to end the standoff."We are ready to hold discussions with the DGP but it should be held at a neutral venue instead of at their (police) conference hall," said the association president Srikant Naik.The general body of the association deferred a discussion on the requisition made by about 180 members on a six-point suggestion and requesting the bar association to resume the court work in the larger interest of all stakeholders.The lawyers are boycotting courts across the state, demanding the arrest of policemen who allegedly assaulted a Cuttack-based advocate on a busy road on August 28 following a series of road accidents involving his car.The cease-work protest was launched on August 29.

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