Lack of separate High Court in Nagaland need serious introspection: NBA President

NBA President A Zhimomi addresses the legal fraternity in Dimapur on April 5. (Morung Photo)

NBA President A Zhimomi addresses the legal fraternity in Dimapur on April 5. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 5

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Guwahati High Court, the Dimapur District Judiciary and the Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) held a seminar at the District Court Complex, Dimapur on April 5. 

The Guwahati High Court first established in 1948 currently has three outlying benches for the states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. In 2013, Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya each received its own separate high court. 

After almost 60 years since attaining Statehood, Nagaland in particular is yet to have its own separate high court, as such the issue needed serious introspection, stated A Zhimomi, President of Nagaland Bar Association. With the observation of the jubilee celebration, he viewed that it was a time of reviewing the state’s success and achievements. 

Over the years, we have produced a number of individuals of ‘eminence’ in leading professions including judges in the high court, he said.  In spite of these factors, he added, “we have inhibited ourselves by not taking steps of assurance to get a separate high court.” 

Other issues include the state government not appointing an Advocate General from amongst the local legal practitioners. Although there were a number of capable persons in the bar, “it is a matter of collective shame for the bar to say that the state government does not see fit to appoint from amongst us an Advocate General of the State,” he remarked. 

The lack of a political will by those in power was the biggest hurdle in addressing these issues, he said. 

Aside from these points, the NBA President while speaking on the topic of ‘Professional Ethics’ impressed upon the gathering to possess a set of moral principles and knowledge in the workplace. In particular, as Advocates were governed by the Advocates Act of 1961, each individual must conduct themselves based on the prescribed duties laid out in the act, he added.

However in Nagaland, he regretted that certain members of the legal fraternity were indulging in unethical practices which needed to be put to a stop.  

In addition, Zhimomi stressed on the need to equip oneself with the right set of knowledge and facts needed to address or speak on a practical case. “As a lawyer, it is your duty to offer legal services to the best of your ability,” he noted. 

Meanwhile, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dimapur, Inalo Zhimomi speaking on ‘The Bar and the Bench,’ gave an overview of the relationship between the two in the administration of justice. “The bar and the bench are two wheels which must move in coordination and cooperation,” he mentioned. Neither has primacy over the other. Both were indispensible to a free society.  

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by President of Phek Bar Association, Povotso Lohe while vote of thanks was given by Seyielenuo Mezhü, civil judge, Dimapur. 



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