Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) member secretary, Victo Sema, asserted that legal aid and access to justice were two important concepts in the Indian legal system, for which Legal Services Clinics (LSCs) have been set up at every nook and corner of the state.
Inaugurating LSC at Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN), Sukhai Village Friday, Sema said the purpose of setting up LSC across the state was to make justice accessible to the people.
Seman said the new LSC at TVBCLN Sukhai Village was the 135th LSC in the state. He said the centre was to protect the legal rights of the people of Sukhai, Kivikhu and Ghukhuyi Villages, which fall under Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
The inaugural session was compèred by Zunheboto DLSA, penal lawyer, Inolito K Sumi, judicial magistrate first class and secretary Zunheboto DLSA, Cheliam Khiamniungan, delivered the welcome address, and short speeches were delivered by akukatou and chairman Sukhai Village Council, V Tokugha, and chairman TVBCLN, Ivan Zhimomi.
During the second session, a legal awareness programme was conducted with Cheliam Khiamniungan as the resource person, who spoke on “Legal Aid and Legal Services”. Khiamniungan emphasised that the main purpose of legal aid and services was to provide free and competent legal aid to ensure that services are reached and easily available to the grassroot section of society. She further highlighted that Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of LSCs act as a bridge between the public and service providers.
Speaking on the topic, “Biodiversity Act 2002”, Zunheboto DLSA, retainer lawyer, Easter H Yepthomi, highlighted the overview of the Biodiversity Act and emphasised essential features, penalties and offences and important strategies for biodiversity conservation. She further suggested declaring TVBCLN “No Plastic Zone”.
Marking “World No Tobacco Day (WNTD 2024)”, Zunheboto DLSA penal lawyer, Inolito K. Sumi spoke on the topic, “Cigarette and other Prohibited Tobacco Act, 2003, (COTPA)” and emphasised the WNTD 2024 theme, “protecting the children from Tobacco industry interference”. She also encouraged declaring the TVBCLN area as a “Tobacco Free Zone”.
The session was chaired by Zunheboto DLSA PLV, Litina H. Zhimomi and closing remarks were delivered by district and sessions’ judge Zunheboto and Zunheboto DLSA chairman, Phuleto Yeptho.