Legal Courts in all districts assured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 23 2014: Acknowledging inconve-niences endured by people from remote and hill district areas in accessing legal services, Acting chief Justice of Manipur High Court Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra said along with making the Sessions Judge functional in Thoubal and Churachandpur districts from April or May, courts of district and sessions judge as well as the chief Judicial Magistrates would be established in all the districts at the earliest possible.

Speaking as the chief guest at the first anniversary of Manipur High Court at its Chingmeirong complex today, Justice Mohapatra said ensuring that all the citizens avail legal services in the most convenient manner remains the top priority of the High court.

Noting the numerous hurdles faced by the people of the hill areas due to absence of Courts in the hill districts along with stating that setting up of one court in each of the district headquarters will atleast ensure that the people are not deprived of justice, he exuded confidence that existence of atleast one Court of sessions judge, district session judge or chief judicial magistrate would help the people repose faith in the judiciary.

Acting Chief Justice of Manipur - Justice Laxmi Kanta Mohapatra

Regretting that inspite of the fact that Manipur High Court has completed one year year in existence and having a magnificent building the same court unable to have three judges till date remains a serious concern for the legal fraternity, the Acting Chief Justice also informed that efforts are on to set up full fledged sub-ordinate courts for optimal service to the people.

He further pointed out that of all the cases being handled by the Manipur High Court 5-7 percent are related to national security matters with 15-20 percent of them concerning civilian criminal cases.

Sharing Mohapatra's opinion on the need for establishing courts in the hill districts while delivering the functional president's address justice N Kotiswar Singh expressed that in case the people could not avail legal services then the masses will eventually lose faith on the judiciary system, a condition that could spark chaos in the society.

Former Gauhati High Court chief Justice RK Manisana speaking at the occasion asserted that appointment of all three justices for Manipur high Court is mandatory to make the court effective and efficient.

Among others opening programme of the anniversary celebration, which will continue for a week, was also attended by Assam Human Rights Commission chairman Justice (Dr) Aftab H Saikia, Advocate General Th Ibohal Singh and a number of legal practitioners.