Kohima, July 27 (EMN): A three-day induction training of panel lawyers organised by Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) on ‘lawyering skills’ got underway today.
The inaugural programme, graced by Justice Songkhupehung Serto of Gauhati High Court, was held this afternoon at the conference hall of the Directorate of State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Kohima.
In his inaugural address Justice Serto said Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh are yet to catch up with the other states in regard to legal services.
He stressed that panel lawyers have lots of responsibilities to tell the people of their rights. Further elaborating his point, he has termed it ‘useless’ if one is not aware of all the rights enshrined in the constitution.
He noted that Nagaland is not so young in this profession as it has produced one of the most distinguished judge in the personality of Justice HK Sema, who has worked in the Supreme Court for six years, and other 4 judges, who have already worked in the High Court.
Highlighting on their important roles, he challenged the panel lawyers to take the onerous task of creating awareness among the people of their rights and help the people through their services. To this, he said there is nothing like a ‘sense of fulfilment’ when justice is delivered to a person, whose right has been denied.
Also observing the pitiable road conditions in the NE states particularly in Nagaland and Manipur, Serto said ‘it is shameful’ that NE is becoming expanded further and further when the world is becoming smaller.
NVCO president, Kezhokhoto Savi, in his keynote address, urged the law students to be committed in their profession. He further advised that one should be very careful with their clients by examining and work on document proof.
Earlier, NSLSA member secretary, Nino Iralu, gave a brief introduction of the training programme and CJM and Secretary of Kiphire DLSA, Mezivolu T Therieh, spoke on the ‘dos and donts’ for panel lawyers.
During the next two days, the panel lawyers will be taught on various topics related to the ‘Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Child Protection Mechanism, Lok Adalat and its mechanism, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Lawyering Skills – civil etc’ with prominent resource persons.
