NSLSA, PDLSA officials during the legal awareness outreach programme at District Jail, Peren on May 16.
Peren, May 17 (MExN): A Mini Legal Services Camp was conducted at the Peren Town Hall on May 16 under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in collaboration with the Peren District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) and the district administration.
The initiative aimed at strengthening legal awareness among citizens and promoting the vision of “Access to Justice for All” through community outreach and public engagement programmes.
The camp brought together judicial officers, district administration officials, heads of departments, legal practitioners and educational institutions to spread awareness on legal rights, consumer protection and the importance of legal aid services.
Delivering a special address, Deputy Commissioner of Peren Hiazu Meru stressed the importance of coordinated efforts between the administration and legal institutions to ensure public welfare and awareness.
He said constitutional provisions relating to legal aid were introduced to ensure that no individual was denied justice due to financial constraints or lack of awareness.
Meru also highlighted the need to extend legal support to economically and educationally disadvantaged communities and to create greater awareness on access to justice.
One of the highlights of the programme was a presentation titled “Consumer Justice Quest” conducted by PDLSA in collaboration with the Legal Literacy Club of Peren Government College, focusing on consumer rights and legal safeguards available to the public.
The welcome address was delivered by District and Sessions Judge, Peren-cum-Chairman of PDLSA, N Longshithung Ezung, who highlighted the importance of legal literacy and public participation in strengthening grassroots justice delivery mechanisms.
The keynote address was delivered by NSLSA Member Secretary Neiko Akami, NJS, who also inaugurated the Mini Legal Services stalls.
Akami underscored the commitment of the NSLSA towards making legal services accessible to all sections of society, especially marginalised and vulnerable communities.
The programme was chaired by Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), PDLSA, Adv Lhingneinem Hangshing, while the invocation was led by S Haigangbeu Hengame, Youth Secretary of ZBCC.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, PDLSA, Khrievonou Seletsu, NJS.
Meanwhile, the NSLSA in collaboration with PDLSA also organised a legal awareness programme at District Jail, Peren, on the same day.
The programme was chaired by panel lawyer of PDLSA Adv Indeu Hiekha, while Deputy Superintendent of Jail Peren Imlinungba Longkumer delivered the opening remarks.
Addressing the inmates, NSLSA Member Secretary Neiko Akami explained the rights and duties of prisoners and informed them about the availability of legal aid counsel for those unable to engage private lawyers.
Panel lawyer Adv Kidungyi Putlang highlighted the constitutional rights guaranteed to prisoners under Indian law.
The concluding remarks were delivered by the Senior Superintendent of Central Jail, Dimapur.
A total of 14 male inmates and one female inmate attended the programme, of whom six were represented by legal aid counsel.
During the interaction, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, PDLSA, Khrievonou Seletsu confirmed that three undertrial prisoners were not represented and stated that the matter had been forwarded to the Legal Aid Defence Counsel for necessary action.
