Imphal, May 17 2010: With the attendance of advocates remaining low following the acute shortage of fuel, functioning of Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench has been suspended from today.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at the court complex here today, secretary of High Court Bar Association, N Jotendra informed that the Association has decided to suspend all the works related to the Court for the next three days as the attendance of the Advocates to the Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench remained poor due to the shortage of petrol.

If the petrol is not available even after suspending the work for three days, then an executive meeting of the Association would be convened to discuss further course of action to be taken up, he said.

Jotendra further said that with only 10 percent of the lawyers coming to the High Court because of the shortage of petrol and diesel in the State, functioning of the Court has been affected seriously.

Association president Th Ibohal, who was also present during the press conference, disclosed that the Association would be submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court and Government of Manipur in connection with the problems being faced by the people of Manipur as a out of frequent imposition of economic blockade along the National Highways and obstruction to transportation of essential commodities.

He pointed out that under the provisions of Highway Protection Act, it is illegal to impose any sort of obstruction along the National Highways.

Yet, economic blockades are being imposed frequently along National Highway 39, which is the main lifeline of the people, for the last many years.

All these would be highlighted in the memorandum to be submitted, he added.

Ibohal further said that NSCN (IM) general secretary Th Muivah is a criminal who has many cases against him.

So his camping at Viswema in Nagaland to visit to Manipur is unacceptable.

This point would also be noted in the memorandum.