District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) conducted “awareness camps for prisoners” for jail inmates, legal aid clinics and identified unrepresented prisoners. The DLSAs also conducted legal awareness programmes in the month of July.
DDLSA: Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) organised legal awareness programme at the District Jail and Central Jail on July 6, with retainer lawyer of Dimapur DLSA, Sonile Seb and panel lawyer, Sangto Longchar as the resource persons. During the programme, the resource persons spoke on legal services and its role, rights of accused person, bail and trial, appeals.
WDLSA: Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) ON July 11 conducted awareness camps at District Jail Wokha, wherein District and Session Judge, and chairperson Wokha DLSA, Nino Iralu spoke on “Rights of prisoners” and also interacted with the Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs). Public Prosecutor, Wokha, Mhabemo also spoke on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 47 UTPs and five convicts have been lodged at district jail.
Meanwhile, panel lawyers and para legal volunteers of Wokha DLSA led also visited Legal Aid Clinics on July 15. The panel lawyers – Renbonthung Tsanglao, Myingthunglo Kikon, Yangrothung Humtsoe, Jacob Kikon, Shanchobeni P Lotha, and para-legal volunteers – Tsanthungo, Ajano Ngullie, Mhajamo Khuvung, Wobemo Murry and Zuchobemo Odyuo, visited Legal Aid Clinic at District Jail, Longsa Legal Aid Clinic, Bhandari Legal Aid Clinic, Sanis Legal Aid Clinic. During visitation, legal pamphlets in Lotha and English were also handed over to LACs.
KDLSA: Kiphire District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) led by Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM)-cum-secretary Kiphire DLSA, Phuleto Yeptho along with panel lawyer, Lizi Sangtam and para legal volunteer Tsasela Sangtam, visited prison and interacted with the jail inmates. There were two convicts and six UTPs.
During the visit, the secretary inquired about the health, hygiene and whether various basic facilities were being accorded to the inmates as per their rights. They were also given opportunity to share legal or other grievances. Panel lawyer, Lizi Sangtam highlighted the rights of the prisoners and booklet on prisoner rights were also distributed to all the inmates.
On July 8, KDLSA also organised awareness programme on four priority schemes at Pungro Town. The programme was attended by student bodies, village council members, police department, EAC, Assam Rifles Commandant, ASHA, Anganwadi Workers, women organisation and church leaders. During the programme, the CJMO-cum-secretary, Kiphire DLSA, Phuleto Yeptho apprised the gathering on the role of district legal services authority and Lok Adalat.
Retainer lawyer, Bendangwati spoke on Right to Education, assistant public prosecutor, Micheal Aye spoke on Food Security Act while panel lawyer, Lizi spoke on health and family welfare scheme and para legal volunteer, Tsasela Sangtam spoke on PMVVY scheme and old age pension scheme. The DLSA team led by retainer lawyer also visited Legal Aid Clinic at Pungro.