Nagaland Bar doubles down on boycott of advocate general

DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) has decided to continue its boycott of the advocate general’s (AG) appearances before the High Court, maintaining a long-held stand amid its demand concerning the appointment of the state’s chief law officer.

In a press release issued on Sunday, the NBA informed that the decision was reiterated through Resolution No. 2 adopted by the NBA executive committee on September 18, following the AG’s appearance before the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court on September 15.

According to the resolution, the Bar will continue to boycott the AG’s appearances in court, whether conducted physically or virtually. The executive committee also expressed appreciation to its members for observing the boycott when the AG appeared before the Kohima Bench on September 15.

The latest decision follows the association’s earlier resolution of June 8, when it had decided to boycott the AG’s court appearances as part of its stand on the appointment to the post.

Also read: Nagaland Bar Association reiterates stand on Advocate General appointment

Government lawyers reject NBA call to remove Nagaland Advocate General

The Bar has been seeking the appointment of AG from among members of Nagaland’s legal fraternity, arguing that no person from the state’s legal fraternity had held the post since Nagaland attained statehood in 1963.

In its June resolution, the NBA had given the state government three months to appoint an AG from among lawyers in Nagaland, warning of “consequential action” if the demand was not met. The proposed boycott was to cover both physical and virtual court proceedings.

The association has also raised concerns over judicial infrastructure, including the prolonged construction of the new High Court complex at Meriema.