NSLSA officials along with other dignitaries during a legal services camp held at the Multi Purpose Hall, Zunheboto Town, on May 29. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | May 29
The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), in collaboration with the Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) and the District Administration Zunheboto, organised a legal services camp at the Multi Purpose Hall, Zunheboto Town, on May 29.
Delivering the welcome address, Phuleto Yeptho, NJS, District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, ZDLSA, emphasised that legal services must reach those who need them the most. He stated that the Legal Services Authority continues to work towards ensuring justice and legal aid accessibility for every section of society, especially the marginalised and vulnerable.
The keynote address was delivered by Neiko Akami, NJS, Member Secretary, NSLSA. He informed that all services provided under the Legal Services Authority are completely free of cost and said the objective was to help various departments and the public better understand legal rights and services available to them.
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Akami informed that NSLSA plans to expand such legal service camps to sub-divisions in the coming days. Speaking on prison welfare, he said there are more than 500 inmates across Nagaland and informed that the authority had visited jails in Zunheboto on May 7 to inspect conditions and ensure inmates are provided clean and hygienic environments along with basic facilities.
He stressed that inmates are also human beings and deserve dignity and legal protection.
“Free legal advocates are provided so that accused persons can exercise their legal rights and allow the courts to determine guilt or innocence through due process of law,” he added.
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Highlighting the achievements of Lok Adalat, Akami informed that 604 cases amounting to over Rs 8 crore have been settled through Lok Adalat mechanisms. He further announced that another Lok Adalat session is scheduled to be held on September 12. Loan recovery cases, he noted, remain among the most common disputes addressed through the platform.
He also informed that between January and April this year, compensation amounting to approximately Rs 19 lakh was disbursed to victims of crime under victim compensation schemes.
Special guest Dharam Raj, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Zunheboto, in his address highlighted the three pillars of democracy — Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
“When the public fails to receive proper services from the executive and legislature, the judiciary becomes the final hope of the people, and if justice is denied there too, governance itself has failed,” he remarked.
He emphasised that constitutional and legal rights are fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution and added that legal awareness should not remain confined only to lawyers and courts. He encouraged the public to actively avail legal services and utilise platforms such as Lok Adalat for peaceful dispute resolution.
The Deputy Commissioner further remarked that governance systems today have drastically evolved compared to earlier times, emphasising the vision of “minimum government with maximum governance,” while urging citizens not to shy away from seeking legal assistance and services.
The programme was chaired by Easter H Yepthomi, Retainer Lawyer, ZDLSA, while the invocation was pronounced by Livika S Yeptho, Associate Pastor, Sector, SBCZ. The programme also featured the NSLSA theme song presented by Naga Kheks.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Holika Sukhalu, NJS, Judicial Magistrate First Class-cum-Secretary, ZDLSA. The Chairperson additionally informed that a disability camp is expected to be organised in the coming months.
