Aizawl Bench, Mizoram

Brief History: The Aizawl Permanent Bench of the Gauhati High Court was established on 5th July. 1990 and was inaugurated by the then Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice S.B.Mukherjee (L), in the presence of the then the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, Hon'ble Mr. Justice A. Raghuvir, His Excellency the then Governor of Mizoram, Mr.Swaraj Kaushal and the then Hon'ble Chief Minister Mr. Lal Thanhawla.

About Mizoram: The State of Mizoram is situated on the southern-most tip of the North-Eastern States and is bordered by Bangladesh on its Western boundary and Myanmar on its Eastern boundary. It has an area of 21087 Sq. kms. and 630 Kms. of International Boundary. The Tropic of Cancer runs through the heart of Mizoram. The Two Sister States of Manipur and Assam border it on the North East, while Tripura lies in the North West. Mizoram is mostly hill terrain where rivers flowing either to the North or to the South separate the steep hills; thereby creating deep gorges between the hill ranges. Mizoram has a pleasant climate with temperate conditions, both in summer and in winter. It rains heavily from May to September.

Mizoram is a storehouse of natural beauty with endless varieties of landscape, flora and fauna. The Mizos are primarily cultivators and most of their ethnic festivals are associated with Agricultural operations. They are fond of Music and dance and have a strong community feeling which has in recent years been developed and strengthened by the Young Mizo Association, a Social and Voluntary Organisation with no political affiliation covering the whole of Mizoram. Most of the Mizos are Christians by religion. Mizoram has the highest rate of literacy, about 95%, which is an achievement that every Mizos takes genuine pride in.

Aizawl, the Capital of Mizoram is about 180 Kms. from Silchar. Aizawl is accessible by Air from Kolkata or Imphal where Indian Airlines caters flights three times a week. The Road Journey from Silchar to Aizawl takes about 5 hours, where Mizoram State Transport Busses, Private Bus services and Sumo services ply regularly. Since Mizoram is a Border State, where the East Bengal Regulations is in force and Inner-Line Pass are required for persons other than Government Employees and residents of Mizoram. Inner-Line Passes can be applied for from the Liaison Offices of the Government of Mizoram at Silchar, Shillong, Guwahati and Kolkata.

There are now eight Districts in Mizoram namely - Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib, Mamit, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Chhimtuipui with their Headquarters at Aizawl, Champhai, Kolasib, Mamit, Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai, and Saiha respectively. Although, there is no Separation of Executive from Judiciary in the State of Mizoram, a Permanent Bench of the Gauhati High Court was established in the year 1990 subsequent to the Peace Accord signed between the Mizo National Front (MNF) and the Government of India in the year 1986.

The Aizwal Permanent Bench: The Aizawl Permanent Bench is situated at a distance of about 5 Kms from the heart of Aizawl City. There are about 335 cases pending at present. Since its inception in the year 1990 about 1,992 cases have been disposed of till date. The majority of the cases are of civil nature mainly concerning service matters. The Mizos as such as Peace loving and there are very few major criminal cases. Many disputes are being settled in the village and District Council Courts. About 60 Officers and Staff headed by the Registrar man the Registry of the Aizawl Permanent Bench of the Gauhati High Court.