Ukhrul, July 1: The Ukhrul District Bar Association (UDBA) has issued an urgent appeal to the Government of Manipur, expressing deep concern over the prolonged delay in the construction of the District and Sessions Court building at Reiyotang, Ukhrul.
Terming the decade-long stagnation as a “judicial burial ground in broad daylight,” UDBA President Advocate Michael Zimik said the association will not remain silent and is prepared to launch sustained protests until work on the building finally begins.
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Speaking to this correspondent, UDBA President Michael Zimik held the concerned government departments, the district administration, and particularly the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Ukhrul accountable for the lack of progress, citing their failure to demonstrate the necessary will and commitment, and for making excuses unrelated to a project that is 90% funded by the Central government.
“Why is Ukhrul being kept in suspense?” advocate Michael Zimik questioned.
It is worth noting that a delegation from the High Court of Manipur, led by the then Chief Justice Siddharth Mridul, visited Ukhrul in May 2024 to inspect the long-pending construction of the District and Sessions Court. During the visit, Advocate Michael Zimik submitted a memorandum with three key demands. In response, Chief Justice Mridul assured that construction of the court building would begin within the current quarter. Despite the assurance, nothing has moved till date.
A press conference was held in this regard at the Tangkhul Express TV Studio on Tuesday. Advocate Zimik voiced the growing frustration of the legal community and the general public. He recalled that the Court Complex at Ukhrul was officially inaugurated in 2015 by then Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh, on the same day as Tamenglong’s Court complex. However, while Tamenglong’s court is now fully functional, Ukhrul’s project remains trapped in bureaucratic delays and political apathy.
According to UDBA, boundary fencing of the Court Complex began in 2016 and is now nearly 98 percent complete. However, construction of the actual court building has yet to start.
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Advocate Michael Zimik also clarified that all prior disputes related to the land, especially a 32×40 sq. ft. area that was formerly encroached upon and used as a masjid, have been amicably resolved, removing any remaining hurdles for construction.
The UDBA has, therefore, called upon the government to act without further delay and fulfil its long-pending commitment to the people of Ukhrul.