Kohima District Legal Services Authority opened a Legal Aid Clinic today at Chiephobozou Sub-division under Kohima district at the Additional Deputy Commissioner Office, Chiephobozou premises.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Rovilatuo Mor, IAS, who is also the EX-Officio Member of KDLSA, inaugurated the Legal Aid Clinic (LAC) at Chiephobozou. He expressed appreciation to the Kohima District Legal Services Authority for its initiatives to open up an LAC at Chiephobozou sub-division which will help the villagers to a large extent. While addressing the gathering, he assured that the Legal Aid Clinic or literally interpreted in Angami dialect “Thezho Houba” will help the villagers in redressing their grievances. He said that now people living around the localities and neighbouring villagers can get access to justice with the opening of this clinic.
There are many provision of laws, rules, orders which “exist to protect, regulate and control our lives to enable our society live in peace and in harmony” likewise, he stated, there are penalties for breach of these laws. The people need to be aware and know the various rights and regulations for their own protection and benefits as these laws are enacted not only to protect but also to promote justice and equality which all should know and abide by it, he added.
Mor also stated, “we should perform our duties and enjoy our rights responsibly”. He further urged the villagers to utilise the Legal Aid Clinic positively and avail free legal advise and services. In his concluding remarks, he requested the village council members and village leaders and elders present to work together in unity with sense of responsibility towards the welfare of villages.
ADC Chiephobozou, Linda Solo, NCS while delivering the welcome note said that Legal Aid Clinic is very much needed in the sub division. She stated that the LAC will definitely help in making the villagers know about their rights and remedies meant for them. She mentioned that burden of the villagers will be reduced with the LAC and hope that free and competent legal services will be provided through the clinic.
Chief Judicial Magistrate & Secretary, KDLSA, Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS while giving her words of acknowledgement thanked the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima for his zeal in always supporting the activities of the DLSA. She also lauded the ADC Chiephobozou for providing all the logistics and making the inaugural programme a grand success. She also appealed them to continue to assist in the promotion of the LAC so that the area people are not denied their right to get access to justice.
Zekuseto Natso, Panel Lawyer while briefing the crowd on the importance of Legal Aid Clinic stated that any eligible person can avail free legal services in the form of legal advice, getting their application drafted, opening bank account etc. There are instances where many people are unable to afford a lawyer to represent their case and so for such cases, legal aid clinic can act as medium to connect the people in need of free legal aids and services to redress their grievances through proper channel. He further stated the clinic will assist making them understand better the customary laws, in filing RTI, getting to know about the welfare schemes meant for them, matters concerning the villages, any sort of legal advices and on various provisions of law.
The programme was chaired by Retainer & Panel Lawyer, Kekhriengulie Theunuo, KDLSA who introduced the purpose of the programme. The programme was well attended by lawyers, village elders and leaders, Village Council Chairmen and member, DBs, GBs, student leaders, social leaders and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs).