Tikendrajit anniversary; Brainstorming session for lawyers held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29: In connection with the year-long 150th birth anniversary of Bir Tikendrajit, a one-day brainstorming session for lawyers on the theme of 'The spirit of freedom' was held at Kangla Hall here today.

Dignataries on the dais during the session

The event jointly organised by the Celebration Committee of 150th Birth Anniversary of Bir Tikendrajit and All Manipur Bar Association was inaugurated by Law and Legislative Affairs Minister Th Debendra Singh as chief guest, president of All Manipur Bar Association A Indrakumar Singh as functional president and retired Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court RK Manisana Singh, Chairman of Manipur Human Rights Commission WA Shishak and former Law Minister and MLA Nandakumar Singh as guests of honour.

Participating in the brainstorming session as resource persons, RK Manisana Singh spoke on the topic 'Redefining of the Indian Parliamentary Democracy and freedom to uphold the Constitutional validity of the National security at the cost of basic Fundamental rights', WA Shishak on 'Justice delayed is Justice denied AFSPA: A case in point a glaring example of outright violation of human rights in the largest democracy of the world', L Nandakumar on 'Legal profession and the mindset of the younger generation of lawyers in Manipur', Th Debendra on 'To do justice to the oppressed people of Manipur' and A Indrakumar on 'Judicial activism in Manipur is the need of the hour'.

In his observations, Indrakumar said there are instances of confusion among the advocates in Manipur in connection with incident of violation of human rights.

Although the report of the Jeevan Reddy Commission has acknowledged violation of the rights of the common people by the security forces with immunity granted under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in Manipur, the Government has not taken up any necessary steps to repeal imposition of the draconian Act, he lamented.

He further said that absence of a separate High Court of Manipur also caused lot of inconveniences to the lawyers and the people in seeking justice.

Disposal of many Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed with the Gauhati High Court in the in connection with cases of human rights violation are pending in its Imphal Bench.

Existence of only one family court, appointment of not more than two councillors and giving the charge of Imphal East and Imphal to one Chief Magistrate are also some of the other factors which put constraint on discharging their duties by the advocates, he added.

Nonetheless, he concluded his observation along with a fervent to the advocates for contributing their mite in spreading legal awareness among the people, extending legal assistance to those who need it sincerely and utilising their rights to freedom of speech for the right cause and at the right time.

This would help in resolving many of the issues being faced today, he said.

The first session of the today's brainstorming session was held with retired Session Judge C Upendra as moderator and advocate Araba and Khaidem Mani as the main speakers.

Araba said the role of the lawyers in an armed conflict State like Manipur is very important and they should discharge their duties with sincerity in ensuring the rights to life of the people without any discriminatory attitude.

Khaidem Mani said underground organisations in Manipur should come together and hold dialogues with Government.

In the afternoon session, Prof W Nabakumar Singh was the moderator while former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Kh Chonjohn Singh and advocate Yumnam Devdutta were the main speakers.