Shillong, September 2: The Meghalaya government on Wednesday sought two weeks to examine the demand by two lawyers’ associations for the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar, while saying he would be asked not to appear in court on behalf of the state during the period.
The Shillong Bar Association (SBA) and the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association (HCMBA) have been agitating over grievances relating to the functioning of the Advocate General and are demanding his removal.
Law Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said the government held discussions with representatives of both associations at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong.
Rymbui said the lawyers reiterated several grievances, including those concerning the functioning of the Advocate General. He said the appointment and removal of an Advocate General is a constitutional matter and any final decision would have to be taken by the Council of Ministers.
As an interim measure, the government would request Kumar not to appear in court on behalf of the state for the next two weeks while the issues raised by the lawyers are examined.
The government is expected to hold another round of talks with the two Bar Associations after a week to review the matter and discuss the grievances in detail.
Rymbui also appealed to the lawyers to suspend their agitation and cooperate with the government while the matter is being examined. “This issue can be solved only through mutual dialogue, not through confrontation,” Rymbui said, adding that other issues concerning the functioning of the system would also be reviewed and corrective measures taken wherever necessary.
The Bar Associations said the government’s request would be placed before their members. SBA Secretary T.L. Jyrwa said the lawyers would await the government’s decision on the allegations against Kumar ahead of the next round of discussions.
