Guwahati: Members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) began a three-day hunger strike on Thursday, protesting the government’s plan to relocate the high court complex to North Guwahati.
The proposed new complex is part of a judicial township at Rangmahal, with Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, scheduled to lay its foundation stone on January 11.
Led by GHCBA president KN Choudhury, the hunger strike started at 10 a.m. in front of the old Gauhati High Court building, following a decision made at an urgent Extra-Ordinary General Meeting on Tuesday.
“… as a peaceful and democratic expression of its considered stand, the Gauhati High Court Bar Association shall observe a peaceful hunger strike,” the Association said in a statement on Wednesday.
Members will continue the strike on Friday and Sunday, and the GHCBA has decided not to participate in the foundation stone ceremony of the new complex.
“The General Body, after due deliberation, has reiterated its consistent opposition, as reflected in earlier resolutions and a referendum, to shifting the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court from its current location,” the statement added.
The Association urged all members to respect and follow the collective decision.
The GHCBA has long opposed moving the high court from central Guwahati on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra to the northern bank at Rangmahal.
The government plans to develop a judicial township across 129 bighas (over 42.5 acres) of land.
In November last year, the state cabinet approved Rs 479 crore for the first phase of construction.
Earlier, the GHCBA had called for an immediate halt to the project, citing the interests of stakeholders and the general public.
Currently, the Gauhati High Court operates from Uzan Bazar, which includes a historic building and a modern multi-storey complex inaugurated a few years ago.
Both buildings face each other across Mahatma Gandhi Road and are connected by an underground tunnel.
The Assam government plans to develop the Brahmaputra riverfront, which requires acquiring the high court land.