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Officials with participants during the state-level training for Para Legal Volunteers under the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority conducted at the Commissioner Circuit House, Kohima on January 29. (Photo Courtesy; NSLSA)
PLVs are ‘harbingers of Justice, to remove impediments in access to Justice’
Kohima, January 29 (MExN): One-day state-level training for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) under the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) was conducted at the Commissioner Circuit House, Kohima on January 29.
NSLSA Member Secretary N Longshithung Ezung, NJS delivering the keynote address upheld that Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) are “the link to the beneficiaries, directly connecting people at the grassroot to stakeholders.”
He asserted that PLVs can play a pivotal role in carrying out awareness, identifying beneficiaries and connecting them to schemes. Towards this, the MS called the PLVs to take opportune of the training to learn, refresh oneself and explore roles of PLVs.
He also informed that the state legal authority in the yearlong plan is set to focus and undertake activities on schemes of departments concerning Food & Civil supplies, Health & Family Welfare, Social Welfare Department, and Right to education. These, he added with also enhance the role of PLVs.
Secretary (Judicial), Department of Justice & Law Nino Iralu, NJS gave a call to the PLVs “to work with a missionary zeal.” The Secretary while speaking on the role and concept of PLV in strengthening access to Justice and Legal Services said although legal Services is a well-structured institution, “many people who are eligible for legal services remains uncovered by the law because of inaccessibility, vulnerability and socio-economic conditions.” This, Iralu pointed that PLVs can bridge the gap between people and Justice system through use of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and bring people needing legal aid and advice to the Legal Services Authorities. She also referred the role of PLVs as “harbingers of Justice, to remove impediments in access to Justice.”
The range of roles and intervention as she mentioned, for instance to children, women, arrested persons, victims of disaster, deranged or disabled by making people aware of their problems, complaints, disputes and issues; need also bring them to the DLSAs.
DSP Traffic Kohima Manon Wallim, NPS speaking on the practical aspects of PLVs in Police Stations asserted that the attached PLVs are the first point of contact between victims, accused, complainants or family members who can play important roles in helping them with accessible rights and entitlements. As per as their role is concerned, PLVs in Police station need to ensure that no person- victim or accused is left unrepresented, he said.
Free legal aids and representations to such people in need in PS or prisons therefore needs to be identified while noting that it is also necessary for PLVs to be abreast with criminal Justice system procedures and maintain good rapport with Police Stations or helpline agencies. This, he said was important as our common people is ignorant on procedures, or rights of arrested persons and free legal aids.
Raitale Zeliang, programme manager, State Child Protection, Kohima was speaking on the issues relating to child rights and protection. She stated that enormous acts, legislations, schemes that have been implemented for the child in present times, however, many children still remains deprived of their rights. This she said was due to poor implementation of laws and schemes and lack of knowledge among the stakeholders and public.
In the context of the state, she observed that many harmful traditional practices violate rights of the child. She mentioned violations on adoption or fostering procedures, child labour, and child care institute among others. She also said most of the cases are underreported.
Among others, she said more awareness and education is still required. In this line, she said, PLVs can “generate awareness.”
Kezhosano Kikhi, Project Coordinator, NSLSA gave a broad outline on social security schemes- Right to Education Act, Victim Compensation Scheme and Food Security scheme. The schemes will also be taken up on priority in the yearlong action plan.
Project Assistant, NSLSA Neisezonuo Liegise presented on Maintenance of PLVs activity register, activities and reports. PLVs- Yemlong Chaba (Tuensang), Lipokienba (Dimapur), Bendangsenla (Mokokchung) shared experiences.
The interactive session was moderated by Cherry Ovung, Project Coordinator, NSLSA. Earlier, Imlikala Jamir chaired the programme and Weching Konyak, Project Assistant delivered the vote of thanks. The training was attended by 67 PLVs from across the state.
