Imphal, March 07 2009: A discussion on the role of lawyers in profession in Manipur where people are killing by both state and non-state actors was held at State Guest House today organized by the Lawyers' Group.

The discussion session was attended by various prominent persons in the field, former chief justice of the Guwahati High Court, Justice RK Manisana, former chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Justice WA Sishak as special guests, president of the High Court Bar Association and professor of the Philosophy department, Manipur University, Dr Soyam Lokendrojit as guest of honour.

Giving key note address of the discussion session, president, Lawyers Group, K Rabei said that in the state killing of at least three to four persons has been a common event.

A total of 490 cases related with killing of person(s) were registered during the year 2008.The year 2009 is at the beginning stage but the cases of killing toll to 54.Out of this 54 cases four of them has been confirmed as civilians, he said.

If the prevailing scenario of killing people continued further, the society may extinct, he expressed calling that now time has arrived to discus on what role should be taken by legal practitioners to solve this scenario.

Justice Manisana, in his speech said that there is no place in the world where there is no conflict but the sufferers are the common people.

"Law is the machinery.

So, for becoming the law worthy of being law, we need to make law by the judges," he observed.

Justice, WA Sishak said "We know our duty but could not perform it.

We know what is wrong or right but we do only the wrong.

This is the most unfortunate thing.

For a better society, sincerity is a must" .

The important of law is to bring out the truth.

In this regard, people working in the courts have great roles to take.

So, everybody here need to discharge their duty with sincerity, he said.

Prof Lokendrajit said that the biggest problem facing by the people is the diminishing the social capital and it has been raised owing to reduction of social trust.

Law should be control by someone.

The enforcing authority should have enough power as violation of the law need to be dealt with appropriate punishment.

If this could not be done then it cannot be called law, he observed.

Giving is presidential address on the occasion, senior advocate Jayenta expressed concern over the killing of innocent people in the recent time recalling the murder of SDO Dr Kishan and his two subordinate staff and various incidents of kidnapping government employees for ransom.

The killing of an employee of the high court by the security forces alleging him as underground element, he recounted and said in this juncture it is a high time to consider what role should be taken by the judiciary.

During the discussion also retired district and session judge, C Upendra, former vice chairman of the Council of North Eastern State, senior advocate I Lalitkumar and chairman of the Legal Protection Centre, advocate Khaidem Mani talked as resource persons.

Prof Lokendrojit acted as moderator of the discussion.

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