Shillong, Sept 1: The lawyers’ agitation demanding removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar entered its first day today with courts across Meghalaya wearing a deserted look.
Even as the Law Minister today invited a delegation of the agitating lawyers to resolve the deadlock, the Bar refused to relent and insisted on direct intervention by the Chief Minister. The lawyers said their demand is clear — Advocate General Amit Kumar must resign.
Tension was visible near the High Court premises where banners calling for ouster of Mr Kumar were put up. In a dramatic turn, trays of eggs were kept outside the High Court canteen, ostensibly to be thrown at the Advocate General.
The abstention from judicial work, called by the Joint Executive Committee of the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association, came into effect from today, though bail matters have been exempted. The resolution adopted on August 31 said the agitation will continue till Kumar is removed.
While a majority of lawyers have joined the boycott, some veteran and senior advocates stayed away from the protest, apparently not in agreement with the manner in which the issue is being handled.
The Bar has accused the AG of conduct damaging the dignity and interest of the legal fraternity, a charge that was first raised at the Joint General Body on August 24. The associations said the government had failed to communicate on the issue, forcing them to resort to abstention.
