High Court functioning paralysed

IMPHAL, June 15: The cease work strike launched by High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on Friday entered its fifth day with the association continuing to press its demand paralysing normal function of the court.

The Gauhati High Court, Imphal Bench has stopped its routine works since June 10 as the HCBA is in strike demanding the appointment of qualified judges from the state bar and benches for the proposed separate High Court of Manipur.

HCB also convened a joint extended executive meeting of advocates today and reaffirmed the decision of the High Court Bar Association taken on June 8. The meeting also took a fresh resolution to continue the strike till its demand is met.

A sub-committee was further formed to take up further agitation to press the demand during the meeting.

Senior advocate RK Nokulsana has been selected as chairman of the new committee, M Roshini, now secretary of HCBSA, as convenor and senior advocate Khaidem Mani as member.

The leaders of the newly formed sub-committee are likely to meet the Prime Minister and the Law Minister soon to put pressure on the demand of the association. The association is also expected to call upon the state government to urge its demands to the Central government.

The Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench now has only two judges from the state namely Justice N Koteshwor and Justice T Nandakumar. However, the court requires seven judges. And the demand of HCBA is that all the vacant posts of judges should be appointed from among the state judges only and not from outside.

The HCBA began its cease work strike from June 11 pressing its demand but the state government has done nothing to end the stir in an amicable manner till date, sources in HCBA said.