Justice N Kotiswar Singh is from the Meitei community. The All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) has requested the Churachandpur District Bar Association to welcome his visit, emphasizing that it is purely humanitarian and not politically motivated.
![[Manipur Violence] Lawyers Oppose Ban on Meitei SC Judge's Visit to Churachandpur](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Manipur-2.webp?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: Today, 21st March, A six-member team of Supreme Court judges is set to visit the northeastern state affected by ethnic violence. The delegation includes Justice B R Gavai, Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, Justice M M Sundresh, Justice K V Vishwanathan, and Justice N Kotiswar Singh.
During their visit on last Saturday, they will distribute relief materials to people in Churachandpur district.
Justice N Kotiswar Singh is from the Meitei community. The All Manipur Bar Association (AMBA) has requested the Churachandpur District Bar Association to welcome his visit, emphasizing that it is purely humanitarian and not politically motivated.
![[Manipur Violence] Lawyers Oppose Ban on Meitei SC Judge's Visit to Churachandpur](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/justice-n-kotiswar-singh.webp?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
Responding to AMBA’s request, the Churachandpur District Bar Association explained that their directive preventing Justice Kotiswar Singh from entering the district was not due to hostility but rather to respect public sentiment.
“There is no ill intention against the Meitei community, especially the judges. The situation compelled us to issue the statement. Civil bodies had asked for clarification regarding the visit, and we issued the directive to prevent any unwanted incidents,”
said Grace Chiinhoihniang, President of the Churachandpur-based lawyers’ body.
She further explained the rationale behind their stance
“This is purely for the safety of the judge. People are emotional, and given the ongoing ethnic crisis in the state, tensions are high.”
A few days earlier, the Churachandpur District Bar Association had released a statement saying, “Lordships belonging to the Meitei community, in the interests of peace and public order, shall not step into our district.”
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Ensures Unhindered Access to Justice in Manipur Amidst Ethnic Clashes
AMBA President Puyam Tomcha Meitei described the Supreme Court judges’ visit as a historic event.
“As a legal body, it is very unfortunate that the Churachandpur District Bar Association has issued a directive barring a Meitei judge from entering an integral part of the country. Even politically oriented bodies seeking separate administration have not objected to the visit,”
he said.
He stressed that the visit is purely humanitarian and aims to assess the conditions of internally displaced persons in relief camps.
“It should be warmly welcomed. The directive prohibiting a Meitei judge of the Supreme Court from entering Churachandpur is unethical,”
he asserted.
“We urge them to withdraw the directive and embrace the visit,”
he added.
Personal Views on Justice Kotiswar Singh
Despite the official stance of the Churachandpur District Bar Association, its president expressed personal admiration for Justice Kotiswar Singh.
“We are very happy for him. I have known him since his tenure as Advocate General of Manipur,” Chiinhoihniang stated.
“On a personal level, they would love to see Justice Kotiswar, as he is someone from Manipur who has reached the esteemed position of a Supreme Court judge.”
Background: Ethnic Violence in the State
Since May 2023, over 250 people have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced due to ethnic violence between the Meitei community in Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo groups in the surrounding hills.
