Kohima Village Council (KVC) chairman, Neivor Rutsa asked to look at legal point in accordance with traditions and customary law, as traditions and customary laws hold dear to the heart of Naga people.
He was addressing at the inaugural programme of the legal aid clinic organized by Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) at Kohima village council hall, Monday.
The chairman pointed out that 90% cases in the state were solved within village court and 10% cases in higher court.
Delivering the inaugural address, chief justice of Gauhati High Court of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and patron in chief of NSLSA, Justice Ajit Singh lamented that the poor and marginalized section of people are not aware of the legal rights and schemes, as well as facility to avail competent lawyers.
He informed that article 39 (A) of the constitution has mandated that the operation of the legal system promoted equal opportunity by providing legal aid by suitable legislation or schemes, in order to ensure that opportunity of securing justice is not denied to any citizen due to economic or other disabilities.
The chief justice also declared the legal aid clinic open.
Delivering keynote address, executive chairman NSLSA and judge Guahati high court, justice Nishitendu Chaudhury opined that modern civilization has something to learn from village customary laws, which does not give rise to any adverse litigation, while disputes and differences were resolved by unanimous decision.
He maintained that the legal aid clinic would not interfere in the traditions and customs.
Parliamentary Secretary YRS, MTF and state lotteries, Khriehu Liezietsu thanked the chief justice of Guahati high court for his strong sense of justice and willingness to work with the local people and taking stock of the situation from the grass root in delivering justice.
He also lauded NSLSA’s initiative in bringing basic and inexpensive legal service to the doorstep.
Khriehu apprised that the legal aid clinic has been set up to provide legal services to the poor, marginalized and weaker section of society in rendering legal services to the poor, marginalized and weaker section of society in rendering legal services of basic nature like legal advise, drafting legal documents and resolving disputes of local people.
The gathering was enthralled through welcome song by cultural vibrance Kohima village.