PLV told to have basic knowledge of law

DIMAPUR — The registrar of Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, Ajongba Imchen, has underscored the necessity for para-legal volunteers (PLV) to know the basic procedures, act and articles of the Indian Constitution in order to empower the marginalised section of their rights and entitlements.

Imchem stated this during a one-day state level induction training programme for PLV organised by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in Kohima on Friday.

[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]

“Without having basic knowledge of law, it was not possible for PLV to represent the needs of the marginalised in their respective jurisdiction in the right way,” Imchen pointed out. 

An evil, which the society is experiencing till today, according to Imchen was that acts take very long time to get implemented in the parliament. He has cited instances of Lok Pal, an anti-corruption act now named Lok Ayukta, which was introduced in 1968 but took almost half century to be implemented in 2013 due to persistent pressure from activists. He also made reference to the legal services schemes, which was introduced in 1971 but came to existence only in 1987 and made functional only in 1998 after a gap of over two decades.

Imchen has stressed on the necessity to shoulder responsibility to built the nation and at the same time bring about changes into the state. Speaking of corruption in the state, the registrar pointed out that everyone talks about it but nobody does anything. He, therefore, stated that Naga people should be ashamed of the way they live a superficial life.

Imchen further stated that Nagaland today needed persons who cannot be purchased by money, which has become very rare.

"Our job is not to give rice or sugar to others but enable and empower people to know their rights to access their rights," he added.

NSLSA member secretary, Victo Sema, while delivering the welcome address, spoke on the need to understand the system of the legal services system. He said the primary objective was to provide free legal services to the people as enshrined in the Article 39 (A) of the Indian Constitution.

Stating that justice was one of basic human rights, the member secretary asked the PLV to go back and work effectively in their districts.

Sunjib Rana, retainer lawyer of Kohima DLSA, has dwelled on the concept of para legal volunteers and maintenance of PLV activity registrar, while state panel lawyer, Kezhosano Kikhi spoke on the fundamentals of crime and law. The roles, duties and responsibilities of PLV was presented by Apila Sangtam, panel lawyer of Kohima DLSA.