IMPHAL, June 24: The demand of the people of the state for setting up of a separate High Court has been fulfilled. But the vacant posts of two Judges of the recently inaugurated Manipur High Court are yet to be filled causing several inconveniences for the people. So the Manipur government should fill the vacant posts from among the qualified advocates of the state at the earliest, said Khaidem Mani, Advocate, president of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) at a press meet held at the office of AMBA at Uripok Cheirap Court Complex, Imphal at about 2 pm.
Y Priyokumar, vice president of the association also attended the press meet.
He said that it is necessary to improve the administration of justice if rule of law is to be enforced in toto.
Shortage of Judges and the staffs and shortfall of infrastructures in the Courts of the state including the Manipur High Court has led to the pendency of a large number of cases, he said.
Stating that the appointment of at least five judges of Manipur High Court was demanded but only four were provided, he informed that out of the four judges only Chief Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre and Justice N Kotiswar have been filled, while the posts of two other judges are still lying vacant. Subsequently, when someone wants to appeal against the ruling of a bench, he has to go to the Supreme Court as he faces various technical problems at the Manipur High Court but the journey to Supreme Court at Delhi will cause financial problems to the poor people of the state, he added.
On the other hand, the Manipur government is set to inaugurate a court on July 12 at Thoubal with an objective to set up courts of district and session judge in all the districts of the state, Khaidem Mani said, while adding that a court will be inaugurated at Bishnupur on August 12 but problems will be faced if the vacancies of the necessary staff, Grade II and Grade III including grade I of Manipur Judicial Service are not filled up.
He appealed to the government to set up a court of presiding officers who are not below the rank of judicial magistrate 1st class at Moirang, Kakching and Moreh with proper provision of infra structures.
Further, he demanded setting up of another NDPS Court to bring the total to two and presence of two family courts. He also appealed to implement advocate’s welfare fund Act, 2001 in the state which has come into force in seven states.