Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEP 15 (NPN): High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Kohima, at its general meeting on September 15, resolved to fully support any decision taken by the Nagaland Bar Association (NBA) on the advocate general (AG) issue.
HCBA president CT Jamir raised NBA’s demand that the State government appoint AG from among the local legal fraternity. The NBA’s three-month deadline for chief minister Neiphiu Rio to act on the demand expired on September 13.
Jamir also highlighted the NBA’s September 3 resolution to boycott cases in which State AG KN Balgopal appears, renewing its demand for his termination over a statement attributed to him during submissions before the Supreme Court.
The resolution stated that, as decided at the June 8 meeting, Bar members would boycott cases in which Balgopal appears either virtually/physically. It also urged members, including government panel advocates, not to aid/assist the AG, while government departments and units were asked to ensure none of their members assisted him during court appearances. NBA had earlier expressed “extreme concern” over a statement allegedly made by Balgopal during submissions before the Supreme Court on September 1 that “Nagaland has only two types of employment-one is Government job and the other is underground job.” The Additional AGs of Nagaland and government panel advocates of Gauhati High Court, Principal Seat and Kohima Bench, have opposed NBA’s demand for Balgopal’s termination.
The meeting featured a presentation on the role of the Bar by Tongpok Pongener, annual report by secretary Joshua Sheqi, property committee report by Pfosekho Pfotte and audit report by committee convenor V. Zhimomi. The resolution was presented by HCBA joint secretary E. Thiba Phom.
The meeting discussed compliance with SLP (C) No. 1404/2025, Deeksha Namruthesh vs State of Karnataka & Ors., concerning 30% reservation of posts in Bar Associations for women advocates. The executive committee nominated Inaholi Wotsa and Krovino Tsükrü Renboni Kikon on May 7, 2026, and resolved to increase executive members to 12.