Tensions have emerged between legal communities in Manipur as the All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) calls on its Churachandpur counterpart to rescind a directive that bars a Meitei Supreme Court judge, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, from visiting the district. This request comes ahead of a significant visit by a Supreme Court delegation scheduled to distribute relief in the ethnically volatile region this Saturday.
The delegation, including Justices B R Gavai, Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, M M Sundresh, K V Vishwanathan, and N Kotiswar Singh, aims to provide aid amidst ongoing ethnic conflicts that have devastated the state. Justice Kotiswar Singh’s inclusion has sparked controversy due to his Meitei heritage in a district predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community.
The Churachandpur District Bar Association has justified its directive as a precaution to maintain public order and ensure the safety of the judge, citing heightened emotions and ongoing ethnic tensions in the state. “This is purely for the safety of the judge. People are emotional, and given the ongoing ethnic crisis in the state, tensions are high,” explained Grace Chiinhoihniang, president of the Churachandpur-based lawyers’ body.
In response, AMBA president Puyam Tomcha Meitei criticized the local bar’s decision as “unfortunate” and “unethical,” stressing that the visit, which is the first of its kind by such a high-ranking judicial delegation, is intended to assess and alleviate the hardships faced by those displaced by the recent violence. “It should be warmly welcomed,” Meitei stated, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of the mission.
Despite the official stance, Chiinhoihniang expressed a personal note of respect and pride for Justice Kotiswar, acknowledging his achievements and contributions to Manipur’s legal landscape. “We are very happy for him. I have known him since his tenure as Advocate General of Manipur,” she added, indicating a complex blend of professional admiration and local apprehensions.
The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 250 deaths and thousands displaced, highlighting the delicate balance of ethnic relations in the region. The Supreme Court’s intervention, though aimed at providing relief, has inadvertently spotlighted the deep-rooted ethnic divisions and the challenges in navigating such landscapes.
