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Members of the Phek DLSA and Khomi Public Organisation at the Constitution Day programme, at upper Khomi village on November 26.[/caption]
Kohima, Nov. 27 (EMN): The chairperson of the Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA), Mezivolu T Therieh, has referred Article 371A of the Constitution of India as a ‘mini constitution’ in that it has given sovereign powers exclusively to the state of Nagaland for protection and preservation. She urged stakeholders to be responsible in safeguarding it and cautioned that failing to know the purpose of the special article would be disastrous.
She said this while addressing the Constitution Day programme organised by the PDLSA in collaboration with the district administration and Khomi Public Organisation (KPO), on November 26, at upper Khomi village in Phek district.
The importance of the Constitution of India, of village laws and Child Rights were highlighted during the programme, an update from the PDLSA stated on Wednesday.
Therieh read out the preamble of the Indian Constitution and said Constitution Day, the erstwhile National Law Day, is observed on November 26 every year throughout the country in the form of conducting legal awareness programmes.
The day was chosen to spread the importance of the constitution and to spread thoughts and ideas of Dr. BR Ambedkar, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and father of the Indian Constitution and its architect, Therieh stated.
She stated that the Constitution of India lays down the framework demarcating fundamental political code, structure, procedures, powers and duties of government institutions, fundamental rights, directive principles, and duties of citizens. It is the longest written constitution in the world influenced by other constitutions, she said.
“Constitution must be cherished and preserved as it is the fundamental equilibrium of our society. It is through the Constitution that the whole country is created and brought together,” she said.
Zhoi Lohe, SDO (Sadar) Phek, spoke on the Nagaland Village and Tribal Council Act 1987 (4th Amendment 2009) and mentioned that the village council has legislative, executive and judicial powers. He urged them to use their powers cautiously because any act done by them would impact the villagers.
He suggested that communitisation of education should be implemented with responsibility as the future of the children are in their hands. He urged them to give full focus on schools and dedicatedly guard them.
Vethothi Vero, project assistant of Phek DLSA, spoke on the rights of the children. While highlighting on POCSO Act 2012, he stated that it is an act to protect child victims of sexual abuse, harassment etc. and provides child friendly system for trial of those offence; compensation to the victim, free legal aid to the child victim, free first aid and medical treatment by the government and private hospitals.
During interactive session, a number of questions on the customary, land holdings, religious beliefs, money lending, village council and GBs powers and protection of women and children were raised.
Altogether 110 persons participated in the programme.
