IMPHAL, June 13: Lawyers of the state will observe a cease work strike on Thursday.
All Manipur Bar Association, general secretary S Shyamcharan said that the protest is held decrying the favoritism perpetrated by the Gauhati High Court in appointment of judges and usurping quota wise allocation of the north eastern states.
Further briefing reporters at a press meet held at Uripok Cheirap Court complex today, Syamcharan mentioned that the bar members have long been demanding the centre for a separate high court for the state. “Since for nearly thirty years, we have been urging this, now with the passing of the northeastern areas reorganization Act, 2012, now we will have our high court”, he added that despite the development , section 28 of the act is not in the interest of the state.
The section mentions that judges from Assam can be deputed here, Syamcharan in this effect stated that, the Gauhati High Court has a allocation of appointment of judges from the north eastern states.
“Assam has a quota for 11 judges, they have 15 now. For Manipur, the quota allocated for four judges, we have only two”, he mentioned that there gross favoritism is being carried out by the GHC and along with Manipur and other sister state have been marginalized.
President of AMBA, A Indrakumar also stated that there are eligible senior advocates of the state who deserve to be appointed to judgeship, yet no positive steps have been initiated from the GHC in the regard. Alleging that the lawyers of the state have been victimized, he said, “We cannot allow judges from other states to ‘practice’ here. We demand that the quota of four judges for the GHC , Imphal Bench be filled up for bringing about an effective judiciary”.
The members of AMBA made clear that the lawyers of the state will not tolerate judges from other states once the Manipur high court is instituted. It may be mentioned that the High Court Bar Association members have also ceased court work since Monday in similar protest.