IMPHAL August 25: The All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) along with the High Court Bar Association of Manipur (HCBAM) and district Bar Associations held a joint sit in protest today at Uripok, demanding implementation of the Inner Line Permit System in Manipur.
Today`™s symbolic sit in protest is to show our support to the movement spearheaded by the Joint Committee on Inner Line Permit System demanding legal protection of the native people of
Manipur, said AMBA president Hindangmayum Chandrajit Sharma.
`The native being a national minority demands a legal protection in order to safeguard ourselves from possible economic and political dominance from other national dominant communities.`
According to him, the expert committee comprising of lawyers have drafted a proposed bill titled `Prevention of the native of Manipur`™ with ten chapters and submitted it already to the Chief Minister on August 3.
He said all five demands of the JCILPS have also been incorporated in the proposed bill.
However, we suggested some modifications on the issue of `deportation`™ in order to simplify the process, he informed.
`Yet the government has not made any progressed on it,`™ he said.
On the closure of the court at Lamphel since August 14, he said volunteers of JCILPS had imposed the forceful closure which has led to much inconvenience for the public with not just delay in but also uncertainty about next court proceedings.
Revenue Tribunal Court, DC Court, Family Court, Civil Judge Senior Division I, Civil Judge Senior Division II, Chief Judicial Magistrate Tamenglong, Special Court, Narcotics Drugs Psychotic Substance Court, Civil Judge Junior Division/Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal West I, Civil Judge Junior Division/Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal West II have been shut down since August 14.
Some of the courts have reopened since August 24, however, not fully yet as the lawyers are still mindful of the threats, he said.
He appealed to the public to recognized the importance of legal services/judicial work and exempt it as one of the essential services.
The sit in protest was participated by hundreds of lawyers, who are members of AMBA and HCBAM.
`Unfortunately the participation of our five hill district units`™ lawyers are constraint by mobility inconveniences`™ said the AMBA president.