Kohima High Court Bar Association holds annual general meeting

KOHIMA — The High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Kohima, on Monday held its annual general meeting at the Bar Room, High Court premises.

Delivering the presidential address, CT Jamir, senior advocate and president of HCBA, highlighted the various activities undertaken by the association during the past three years of his presidency and the events attended.

He also expressed delight over the appointment of the first woman judge from the state, Justice Yarenjungla Longkumer, as Judge of the Gauhati High Court.

Jamir stated that the HCBA has been pursuing few issues such as a separate High Court for the State of Nagaland.

He informed that the HCBA has been demanding the appointment of judges from the state because there are many capable advocates who can be considered for appointment as judges, besides those from the judicial service. He noted that Nagaland currently has only one judge and suggested that, by convention, more judges could be appointed to ensure equal representation for the state, despite the lack of a formal provision.

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The president stated that the HCBA is equally concerned about the designation of senior advocates as there has been very limited designation of senior advocates in Nagaland. He informed that a representation was submitted during the last visit of the Chief Justice in August 2025, to attend to the pending issues relating to the High Court of Nagaland.

He also informed that the new High Court building is almost completed, with only some quarters yet to be completed, and added that it will be shifting to the new High Court site.

Jamir also called upon the members to unite and forge ahead for a strong bar, working together for the uplift and welfare of the association.

On the occasion, the president of the bar association also made an obituary reference on the demise of Kezhokhoto Savi and led the members in a minute of silence to pay homage to the departed soul.

Imti Imsong, Additional Advocate General of Nagaland, exhorted the gathering and highlighted how the concept of legal representation came into being.

He urged members to be proactive in HCBA’s activities and requested their cooperation, noting that the bar's resources are limited to registration fees, annual membership fees, and sales of Vakalatnama.

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He also emphasised the need to strengthen the bar association while encouraging better participation from junior members, as it is the only institution that can protect a member of the bar in unwanted situations.

Imsong exhorted the members of the legal fraternity to uphold integrity as they are identified as learned members of society with the distinction of being called “learned” among all other professions.

Furthermore, he exhorted the members to uphold the ethical values of the legal profession.

The annual report was presented by Joshua Sheqi, secretary of HCBA. He later presented the resolutions of the meeting, informing that HCBA would conduct seminars and also hold a sensitisation programme on Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) for the benefit of the members.

During the programme, Pfosekho Pfotte presented the Property Committee Report, while Toshi O. Longkumer, member of the Audit Committee, presented the audit report.

Meanwhile, Apok Pongener, Chairman of the Election Commission, presented the Election Commission’s report and announced the HCBA office bearers for 2025-28.

CT Jamir was re-elected as president, and Joshua Sheqi was also re-elected as general secretary. Anguto Sophie was elected to the post of vice president.