A state consultation on legal protection for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Children Affected by AIDS (CABA) and Most at Risk Populations (MARPs) was held on the of August 30 at the conference hall of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Kohima, jointly organized by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) and NSLSA.
While delivering the key note address, joint director NSACS, Dr. P. Tia Jamir, said that access to legal services was an important part of guaranteeing protection from discrimination, getting redress for human rights violations and expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment.
Giving an overview of NSLSA activities, member secretary, NSLSA, Nino Iralu informed that, the State Legal Services Authority was established in 1998 in Nagaland by an Act of the state assembly following which, District Legal Services Authorities were set up in all 11 districts in 2000. Informing that a total of 681 trained Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) were there in the state, Nino Iralu said that, among the many activities implemented by NSLSA, few core activities include creating awareness on various laws and legislations existing in various departments, creating awareness on welfare schemes made for the common men and setting up of People’s Court or Lok Adalat every month.
The resource persons were Dr. Bernice D. Thapru, joint director (TI), NSACS, Tongpang L. Jamir, master trainer, NSLSA, Ashu Theyo, retainer lawyer, Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench and Bazo Kire, treasurer, CABA. During the discussion hour topics such as how to improve linkage between NSACS & NSLSA, Action plan for District Consultation/follow-up meeting in priority districts, training of districts staff under NSACS on legal awareness, were among the various agenda which were deliberated.
The consultation was chaired by Akumla Longchari, masters trainer, NSLSA. Altogether 29 participants attended the consultation which included NSLSA officials, representative from CABA and officials from NSACS.