Shillong, September 2: The Meghalaya Government has urged members of the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) and Shillong Bar Association (SBA) to call off their pen-down strike and resume court work following a two-day agitation that severely disrupted proceedings in the Meghalaya High Court and other courts in Shillong.

The two Bar Associations launched the agitation demanding the removal of State Advocate General Amit Kumar.

In an effort to resolve the impasse, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home, Prestone Tynsong, and Law Minister Lahkmen Rymbui held talks with representatives of the HCBA and SBA.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Rymbui said the Government had taken serious note of the grievances raised by the lawyers and assured them that matters falling within the purview of the Law Department would be carefully examined.

He, however, clarified that the Law Department alone could not decide on the demand for the Advocate General’s removal, as the matter would require consideration by the State Cabinet.

As an interim arrangement, the Government has requested Amit Kumar not to appear in court for two weeks. During this period, the Government will examine the issues and allegations raised by the Bar Associations. Another meeting is expected to be held next week to review the situation.

The Law Minister appealed to the lawyers to cooperate with the Government and resume court proceedings, saying the Government needed sufficient time to carefully examine the allegations and consider appropriate corrective measures.

Rymbui said representatives of the two Bar Associations would place the Government’s request before their respective members before taking a final decision on whether to call off the agitation.

He expressed hope that the deadlock would be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding, allowing normal court proceedings to resume at the earliest.