Criminal Justice System worries Governor
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 15 2012:
Governor Gurbachan Jagat has expressed serious concern over the criminal justice system of the country.
He was speaking as chief guest at the closing function of the year-long diamond jubilee celebration of All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) at Cheirap Court complex today.
Around 1966, punishment rate of criminals was high but these days punishment of criminals do not reach even 8 per cent, the Governor stated.
On account of laxity during police investigation and rising trend of graft practices, public do not have much faith in the country's criminal justice system.
As a result, people often resort to violence such as ransacking and vandalising homes and properties of suspected criminals in front of police.
The State should pay special attention to this mob culture for it is the duty of the State to protect life and properties of citizens, asserted Gurbachan Jagat.
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AMBA has great roles to play towards resolving the conflict situation and also in all-round development of the society including criminal justice system.
AMBA which was set up with just 11 members has grown tremendously over the years and it has now 1800 members.
Earlier, the Governor led in paying floral tributes to the photographs of late members of AMBA.
The diamond jubilee cele-bration which concluded today was opened on September 15 last year.
A photo booklet which documented activities of MBA during the diamond jubilee celebration was also released today.
Today's closing function was graced by AMBA president A Indrakumar and PHED, Labour and Employment Minister I Hemochandra.
Giving keynote address of the function, AMBA general secretary S Shyamcharan observed that even though Manipur has attained high literacy rate, majority of the people have little knowledge about and legal matters.
Keeping this is mind, AMBA organised a series of seminars and workshop on legal matters at village level throughout the year.
A Indrakumar lamented that the State's judiciary related infrastructure are quite inadequate and it has been severely hampering delivery of justice to people.
Every district of the State has one Chief Judicial Magistrate in the capacity of Civil Judge.
Excepting Chandel and Tamenglong, every district has one Judicial Magistrate First Class.
However, there is an urgent need to enhance and improve activities of these Courts.
There is acute shortage of staff and Advocates for the Family Court as well as ND and PS Court.
Expressing happiness over the Government of India's decision to set up a separate High Court for Manipur, Indrakumar stated that the said High Court would have five Judges at the minimum.
He also demanded that the High Court Judges should be appointed from amongst the existing Manipur Bar and Benches.
On behalf of AMBA, its president submitted a memorandum to the Governor.
Senior Advocates were also felicitated at the occasion.