DIMAPUR — Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) observed National Legal Services Day across the districts on Saturday, organising various programmes and activities.
According to an update, NSLSA member secretary Neiko Akami, while addressing a programme in Losami village, Phek, stated that services authorities were established in the state to provide free and competent legal support to the weaker sections of society.
He underscored that it aims to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen due to economic or other disabilities.
Akami urged the gathering to approach the district legal services authorities (DLSAs), emphasising that anyone can avail themselves of free legal advice in the days to come.
Resource person Sekhotso Rokha, panel lawyer, spoke on the Nagaland Village Council Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while Vethothi Vero, retainer lawyer, highlighted the Nagaland Victim Compensation scheme and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Longleng DLSA, in observance of National Legal Services Day, organised a day-long legal awareness-cum-educational tour with LLCs of Shamakok Mission School, Good Shepherd School, and Christian High School.
During the inaugural programme, P Monyei Phom, panel lawyer, reviewed the activities of Longleng DLSA and presented an overview of its work. A Mane Phom, retainer lawyer, discussed the significance of the day and briefed the basic procedures of law.
The Longleng DLSA also visited the Observation Home, District Jail, and Sakhi One Stop Centre, highlighting the key functions of these centres.
Tuensang DLSA observed National Legal Services Day with the Goodwill Society Drug De-Addiction Centre, Tuensang. Antimangyang Chang, retainer lawyer, Tuensang DLSA, explained the NDPS Act, while panel lawyer Herola elaborated on legal services and free legal aid.
A legal awareness programme in observance of National Legal Services Day was organised by Dimapur DLSA in collaboration with the Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research on the theme "Empowering access to justice”.
Sangto Longchar, panel lawyer, spoke on the significance of the day, legal services and their role, lok adalat, the victim compensation scheme, and the POCSO Act. L Luzukhu Achumi, chief legal aid defence counsel, discussed FIRs, procedures for bail and bonds, basic legal rights, domestic violence, and some procedural aspects regarding Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Commemorating National Legal Services Day, Wokha DLSA created awareness about the NALSA helpline number and distributed legal pamphlets in English, Nagamese, and Lotha (local dialect) to the general public, with the assistance of panel lawyers and paralegal volunteers (PLVs).
The Peren DLSA commemorated the day by conducting a one-day training programme for paralegal volunteers in Peren district with guest resource persons from Dimapur District Legal Services Authority.
During the first session, Kumchuba (panel lawyer, Dimapur DLSA) spoke at length about the concept of PLVs under the Legal Services Act and the principles that govern a PLV.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining the Daily Activity Register by the PLVs and shared success stories of the PLVs under Dimapur District to encourage the Peren district PLVs.
Rokovitsu Khate (panel lawyer, Dimapur DLSA) explained to the PLVs the customary laws in Nagaland and the constitutional mandate under Article 371A, which recognises various customary practices in the state.
The programme was attended by the PLVs from Athibung, Tening, Peren, and Jalukie circles under Peren district.