PLVs and resource person at the state level induction training programme for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) organized by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in Kohima on July 28.
DIMAPUR, JULY 28 (MExN): A one day state level induction training programme for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) was organized by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in Kohima today.
Delivering the key note address, Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, Ajongba Imchen, NJS said although not all PLVs have a law degree, it was imperative for PLVs to know the basic procedures, act and articles of the Indian Constitution to empower marginalized of their rights and entitlements.
Without having basic knowledge of law, it was not possible for PLV to represent the needs of the marginalized in their respective jurisdiction in the right way, Imchen pointed out. The registrar said that the PLVs are not under any government but under the executive chairman of the legal services who is a judge of a high court.
Imchen observed that an evil, the society was experiencing till today was that acts takes very long time to get implemented in the parliament.
For instance, he said Lok Pal, an anti-corruption act now named Lok Ayukta was introduced in 1968 but took almost half century to be implemented in 2013; which however was not passed naturally but due to persistent pressure from activists.
Speaking of corruption in the state, the registrar said everyone talks about it but nobody does anything.
He said there were people actively involved in filing RTIs, but results were not seen.
"Many RTI activities appear to be selling out," Imchen underscored while adding that RTIs will not see results if there was no determination that it will not be purchased.
He, therefore, reminded the PLVs that if they engage in such unethical activities, their responsibility will become null.
"Your faithfulness should be known to your neighbourhood," the registrar said adding that the volunteering is not a charity work, but a fundamental duty of the PLVs for the benefit and protection of the rights of the people in their respective area.
He said that Naga people should be ashamed of the way we are living a superficial life. In this regard, Imchen cited an example where the construction of a district jail in Nagaland took 11 years. In 2021, PIL was initiated by the legal services authority. However, it came with hurdles as no local was ready was ready to come forward and file the PIL.
The speaker, in this regard, iterated that Naga society today needs people who cannot be purchased by money. "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, NJS while delivering the welcome address spoke on the need to understand the system of the legal services system.
He said the primary objective is to provide free legal services to the people as enshrined in the Article 39 (A) of the Indian Constitution. Sema added it was realising the aspect that access to justice was one of basic human rights.
During the first session, Sunjib Rana, Retainer Lawyer, Kohima DLSA dwelled on concept of PLVs and maintenance of activity registrar. State panel lawyer, NSLSA, Kezhosano Kikhi spoke on fundamentals of crime and law.
Role, duties and responsibilities of PLVs was presented by Apila Sangtam, panel lawyer, Kohima DLSA.
In the second session, state panel lawyer, Cherry Ovung spoke on victim compensation scheme. National Best PLV awardee, NK Kenny and PLVs from Dimapur and Noklak also shared their experiences.
Interactive sessions were also held during the training programme. The induction training was attended by more than 60 PLVs under 11 District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs).
