"Four lawyers based in Imphal, Manipur, have opted to withdraw from representing Professor Kham Khan Suan Hausing, a member of the Kuki community, in a case before the Manipur High Court. This decision comes in the wake of alleged threats made by members of the Meitei community. The case in question is titled 'Kham Khan Suan Hausing vs State of Manipur and Ors.'
Advocate S Chittaranjan conveyed to Justice A Guneshwar Sharma that he and his colleagues were stepping down from their role in the case due to 'personal difficulties.' The court acknowledged the lawyers' statements and granted their request to withdraw from the case.
However, media reports suggest that the lawyers decided to withdraw from the case due to threats they received from members of the Meitei community.
Hausing, an academic from the Kuki community, has been openly discussing the alleged involvement of the State government in the radicalization of the Meitei community. He is currently facing a private criminal case in Imphal, initiated by Meitei civilians, in response to an interview he granted to a news website.
Senior Advocate Anand Grover was representing Hausing, with support from advocates S Chittaranjan, Victor Chongtham, Th Zingo, and A Priyokumar Sharma. However, threats from members of the Meitei community prompted these supporting advocates to withdraw from the case, as reported by The Hindu.
Chongtham, one of the lawyers involved, informed The Hindu that the decision to withdraw was influenced by these threats.
Grover also indicated that the lawyers decided to step down due to threats and incidents of vandalism. Professor Hausing mentioned that the lawyers had received threats on Thursday, and one of their offices was vandalized on Friday.
Manipur has witnessed a series of violent clashes this year, primarily due to opposition by certain tribes to the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribes status. The Supreme Court of India is currently examining several petitions related to the Manipur violence, including one filed by two Kuki-Zomi community women who were subjected to a distressing incident, captured on video, involving public humiliation and molestation by a mob of men.
Recently, a committee led by former Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice Gita Mittal, submitted three reports to the Supreme Court concerning the Manipur crisis. These reports recommend increased compensation for victims of the violence."
TAGS: "Lawyers Imphal Manipur Professor Kham Khan Suan Hausing Kuki community Meitei community threats Manipur High Court case withdrawal Advocate S Chittaranjan personal difficulties State government radicalization private criminal case Anand Grover violence Scheduled Tribes status Supreme Court of India Kuki-Zomi community video incident public humiliation mob committee Justice Gita Mittal compensation victims."
