Lawyers strike
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2012: The All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) has decided to stay away from all Court related works on June 14 in protest against Section 28 of the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act 2012 .

The particular section says that any Judge of Gauhati High Court may be appointed as Judge of any State High Court as and when separate High Courts are established for the North Eastern States.

Taking strong exception to this provision, AMBA has been contending that Judges from Manipur quota only should be appointed as Judge of Manipur High Court, not other Judges belonging to quotas of other States.

In case the State's quota for High Court Judge is enlarged, the Judges should be appointed from among the qualified lawyers of the State, AMBA demanded.

Generally, separate Acts were enacted when separate High Courts were established across the country.

In the same line, the Gauhati High Court was established under the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act 1971.This Act has provision for separate sets of quotas of Judges for the seven North Eastern States.

As per the provision, Assam has quota of 11 Judges, Nagaland two Judges, Meghalaya two Judges, Manipur four judges, Tripura three judges, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh one judge each.

For Manipur, out of its quota of four Judges, there are only two Judges at present as two have retired.

Following persistent demands from many States, all preparations have been completed to set up separate High Courts for Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura under the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act 2012 .

It is expected that a separate High Court for Manipur would be opened by October this year.

Speaking to media persons at their office today, AMBA general secretary S Shyamcharan claimed that AMBA have been shouting for a separate High Court since the last 35 years.

For establishment of a separate High Court, all requisite infrastructure have been readied.

However, it has not been yet regarding how many Judges would be there in the Manipur High Court.

Remarking that Section 28 of the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act 2012 is unacceptable.

He also decried the Government's inattention to the two vacant posts of Judges in Manipur's quota.

AMBA president K Indrakumar stated that three new Judges should be appointed from Manipur if the separate Manipur High Court should have five Judges.

In case, new Judges are appointed from amongst the Judges of Gauhati High Court, it would be construed as forfeiting the rights of Manipur lawyers who are qualified for the post of Judge.

Indrakumar said that a memorandum would be submitted to all relevant offices including the President of India regarding the particular section and its implications.

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