High Court Bar Association (HCBA) justifies its stance
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11 2013:
The High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has been only pursuing some legitimate demands in public interest.
The association is not undertaking any strike.
Speaking to media persons here this evening, HCBA executive member Advocate Khaidem Mani maintained that the association is well aware of the fact that advocates/lawyers cannot undertake strike.
Generally, all kinds of strike have some quid pro quo elements and there is no element of quid pro quo in the demands of HCBA.
Mani claimed that Manipur had its own highest judicial tradition before the State was merged into the Indian Union.
But due to ignorance and indifference, qualified members of the Bar and Bench are not getting their proper placements in the superior Indian Judiciary consisting of about 1500 High Court judges.
This is a fact which the Government of India and Government of Manipur cannot deny, he asserted.
To ensure that the upcoming Manipur High Court can function properly and smoothly to its full potential, necessary Judges should be appointed from amongst qualified members of Manipur Bar and Bench.
High Court is the highest constitutional court of a State, Therefore its power must not be diluted in any way by lack of the required number of Judges.
Whereas the State Government has recommended five Judges, the required number of Judges is seven, Mani pointed out.
Nevertheless, a team of HCBA would go to New Delhi very soon together with Chief Minister O Ibobi to lobby for the demands of HCBA.
Moreover, preparations are being made to hold another meeting of the association on January 15, Mani added.