SHILLONG : Meghalaya Law Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Wednesday said the state government has requested the Advocate General (AG) not to appear in court cases for two weeks amid an ongoing agitation by the Shillong Bar Association and High Court Bar Association demanding his removal.
Rymbui said the government has taken note of the concerns raised by the two Bar Associations and decided to address the matter through dialogue.
The Law Minister said he met representatives of both associations on Tuesday, where they placed their grievances before him. A follow-up meeting was held on Wednesday in the presence of the Deputy Chief Minister.
According to Rymbui, the associations reiterated their main demand for the removal of the Advocate General, along with other issues related to his functioning.
On the demand for removal, Rymbui said the matter concerns a constitutional post and therefore has to be considered at the highest level, including by the Council of Ministers.
He said the talks with the Bar Associations were cordial and that the Deputy Chief Minister requested them to cooperate with the government.
As part of the government’s effort to break the deadlock, Rymbui said the government will request the Advocate General not to appear in cases for the next two weeks.
The Bar Associations have agreed to place the government’s proposal before their members, while another meeting is expected to be held next week to review the matter.
Rymbui urged the lawyers to withdraw their agitation while the discussions continue, saying the government needs time to examine the issues and cannot respond to every demand immediately.
He stressed that the matter can be resolved through mutual dialogue rather than confrontation and expressed hope that the Bar Associations would suspend their agitation.
The Law Minister also assured that the other grievances raised by the associations would be examined, including the allegations against the Advocate General, the facts surrounding them and possible corrective measures.