IMPHAL, January 11: “The agitation launched by the High Court Bar Association Manipur (HCBAM) of abstaining from attending court works with effect from November 8 last, demanding appointment of seven judges and absorption of the judges from the state Bar and Bench while establishing a New High Court of Manipur in the state is in public interest and is not a strike.”
This was said by HCBAM executive member, Sr Advocate Khaidem Mani, speaking to media persons at a press meet held today afternoon at his residence. Khaidem Mani reacting on a ruling passed by Justice SR Sen of Gauhati High Court Imphal bench in regard to the agitation launched by HCBAM said, “Manipur has the highest tradition before her merger into India in 1949. But due to our own ignorance and indifferences, qualified members of the Bar and Bench are not yet getting their proper placements in the Superior Indian Judiciary consisting of about 1500 High Court Judges. This is a fact which the Government of India and Government of Manipur cannot deny. Manipur shall now have her own High Court on a par with other states of India. Therefore, her High Court must have the minimum necessary number of Judges for proper and smooth functioning, to be appointed from amongst the qualified members of Manipur Bar and Bench who may be transferred and posted in any other High Court of India after appointment.” Saying that the High Court is the highest state constitutional court the Senior Advocate said its power must not be in any way diluted by the lack of the required number of Judges. “Atleast five as recommended by the Government of Manipur and upto seven Judges are the minimum requirement,” added Khaidem Mani.
He added, “The HCBAM is, therefore making a legitimate demand, and not going on strike, in the interest of the present and future of Manipur. HCBAM is fully aware that strike by advocates/lawyers is not permissible within certain specified areas in the conduct of cases, but the present demand is not strike.”
Khaidem Mani further continued that the state government has straight away rejected the process to appoint two judges from Assam and one Judge from Nagaland, when the state has two Judges presently serving out of its four judgeship quota.
On January 5, HCBAM representatives met Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. During the meeting, the CM along with HCBAM representatives had come to an agreement to go to Delhi on January 16 to meet the concern leaders to lobby for their demands, Mani said.
Even though the CM has gone to Delhi yesterday due to an urgent work of his, he has informed the HCBAM representatives to meet him at Delhi and three representatives of HCBAM will go to Delhi to meet the concern leaders of the Center including the Union Law Minister, he said.
The HCBAM members have resolved to urged for the transfer of Justice SR Sen of Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench as well as not to attend his Court for going against their demands.