SRINAGAR: The Bar Association Kargil (BAK) has given the government one week to take concrete steps towards establishing a High Court bench in Kargil, warning that it will launch a hunger strike if the demand is not addressed within the stipulated period.
The warning came during a protest held in Kargil on Monday, organised by the BAK with the participation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil councillors, Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan, Chief Executive Councillor Kargil Jaffer Akhone, members of the legal fraternity and the public.
The protesters demanded a functional Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court bench in Kargil, saying its absence forces litigants, advocates and witnesses from the region to undertake lengthy and costly journeys for judicial proceedings.
Addressing a joint press briefing before the protest, the participants said a High Court bench in Kargil was necessary to ensure accessible, affordable and timely justice for people of Kargil and adjoining areas.
They said the lack of a bench has resulted in hardships, delays in judicial proceedings and additional financial burdens for those required to travel outside the district in connection with cases.
Following the briefing, the protesters marched from the Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC) Kargil to Lal Chowk, raising slogans in support of the demand.
The protest was addressed by Haji Hanifa Jan, Dr Jaffer Akhone, Sajjad Kargili, Syed Ali Moosavi and Advocate Reyaz Ahmed, who supported the demand and called for its early resolution.
The participants resolved to continue pursuing the issue through coordinated and peaceful democratic means until the demand for a High Court bench at Kargil is fulfilled.
