IT Correspondent
Imphal, July 13:
The Ukhrul District Bar Association (UDBA) and the All Tribal Lawyers’ Association, Manipur (ATLAM), have submitted separate memorandums to the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, urging immediate action to address the long-standing neglect of judicial infrastructure in the hill districts of the state.
In its memorandum, the Ukhrul District Bar Association expressed strong concern over the inordinate delay in constructing the District and Sessions Court and the Consumer Court at Rayotang, Ukhrul. The foundation stone for the court complex was laid in 2015 by the then Chief Minister, but the project remains unexecuted even after nearly a decade. UDBA President Advocate Z. Michael Zimnik stated that the delay reflects administrative indifference, especially as the District Court complex in Tamenglong, which was initiated simultaneously, has already been completed and inaugurated.
The Bar Association pointed out that three successive Chief Justices of the High Court of Manipur had visited the site on different occasions and assured that construction work would begin in the next quarter. However, those assurances have yet to materialize. The Association noted that 90 percent of the required funds have already been sanctioned by the Central Government, but the State’s administrative department has failed to act, resulting in continued hardship for both the legal community and the general public.
In a separate memorandum, the All Tribal Lawyers’ Association, Manipur (ATLAM), highlighted the poor state of court infrastructure in Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong, and Ukhrul districts. The association alleged that while the valley districts enjoy comparatively better legal facilities, the hill districts have been left behind, leading to systemic discrimination against the tribal population.
ATLAM stated that in Churachandpur, the District and Sessions Court complex is in a deteriorated condition, with peeling ceilings, flooded courtrooms, and unsafe buildings. The CJM and JMFC courts have reportedly been declared unfit for use by the Public Works Department. The temporary prison facility in the district consists of two overcrowded rooms that house 41 inmates, functioning without adequate food, water, or sanitation.
In Chandel, the District Court remains non-functional despite the creation of posts. All cases, including civil, criminal, ND&PS, and family matters, are being transferred to Imphal, causing further hardship to the people. The CJM complex is said to be in a dilapidated state, with faulty plumbing and a lack of essential amenities. ATLAM has demanded the renovation of the existing court building and the use of vacant nearby government buildings as temporary courtrooms.
In Senapati, the JMFC court complex at Mao, inaugurated in November 2024, remains non-functional. The construction of the District Court building continues without transparency, and the absence of a district jail and proper staff deployment has rendered the legal system ineffective.
In Tamenglong, the District Court reportedly functions only once every two months, while the CJM sits for just three days a month. The district has no JMFC court, no prison, and no functional court infrastructure, denying access to justice for the local population.
ATLAM echoed the concerns raised by the Ukhrul Bar Association and noted that Ukhrul continues to be without a District Consumer Forum, in violation of High Court directions issued in 2016. The district also lacks a jail, making law enforcement and judicial processes more difficult.
The association also pressed for the appointment of an Additional Advocate General from the Scheduled Tribe community in Manipur. It stated that a representative from the ST community is necessary to ensure the proper representation of tribal customary laws and concerns in court proceedings, particularly in cases related to tribal areas.
Both UDBA and ATLAM urged the Governor to direct the concerned departments to commence construction of the pending court projects without further delay. They called for transparency in implementation and a mechanism to monitor timely completion. The memorandums concluded with a strong appeal for justice, arguing that equal access to legal infrastructure is a constitutional right and that the tribal communities of Manipur deserve to be treated with fairness and dignity.