Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA), in collaboration with Kohima Science College (KSC), Jotsoma, organised a legal awareness programme on April 18 at the Science College Auditorium, Jotsoma.
Delivering the keynote address, member secretary of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Neiko Akami, stressed the importance of ensuring access to justice for all, highlighting that legal aid services were available to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and children. He informed that legal services were extended to inmates across 12 jails in Nagaland and spoke on the conduct of National Lok Adalats and victim compensation schemes, noting that KDLSA disbursed Rs 32 lakh to victims in 2025.
In the first session, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson of KDLSA, Mezivolu T. Therieh, spoke on “Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of Citizens.” She emphasized that laws must be applied with common sense and urged citizens to exercise their rights responsibly, cautioning against hate speech, misinformation and defamation. She elaborated on Article 21, Right to Life, explaining its expanded scope to include dignity, and addressed issues relevant to students such as the right to study in an environment free from humiliation and discrimination. She encouraged reporting of discrimination to Internal Complaints Committees and urged faculty to monitor students’ mental well-being.
Therieh also spoke on sexual harassment in workplaces, encouraging young women to stand up for their rights.
Officer-in-Charge of North Police Station, Kohima, Gurpreet Kaur, delivered a session on “Cyber Crimes: Prevention, Prohibition and Protection.” She highlighted the rise in cybercrime due to lack of awareness and dependence on digital technology, cautioning against online frauds such as OTP scams, fake job offers, loan app harassment, shopping frauds and crypto scams. She advised victims to immediately call the National Cyber Helpline at 1930, report incidents at www.cybercrime.gov.in, inform banks without delay, preserve evidence, and file FIRs at the nearest police station.
Earlier, KSC Principal Dr. Temjenwabang welcomed the gathering, appreciated the efforts of the Legal Aid Clinic and stressed the importance of legal awareness in addressing pressing challenges such as climate change and cybercrime.
