Nagaland State Commission for Women conducted an awareness programme on legal aid cell at Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima on September 5. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | September 5
The Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) on Thursday revealed that 70% of domestic violence cases against women in the state are verbal and emotional in nature.
Despite receiving complaints of various offences against women, many people are not willing to register the case or cases are withdrawn even after it being registered.
This was highlighted by NSCW Legal Consultant, Apila Sangtam during an awareness programme on the functioning of Legal Aid Cell organized by the NSCW at Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima today.
Apila said that domestic violence also include sexual, verbal and emotional and economic violence. She highlighted that many cases of extra marital affairs are also observed to be a type verbal and emotional violence prevalent. This, however, is very less spoken off.
The legal consultant said that after the Legal Aid Cell was started in 2022, 15 cases have been registered with the commission and some of which have been disposed off.
Delving into how the Commission is endeavoring to make it a robust and effective responder to women in need of assistance, she explained that making services accessible is one of its paramount efforts. She added that one can file complaints even through a phone call.
The legal consultant said that the Legal Aid Cell act as a single window facility where filing grievances is enough without financial implications. Other work of filing FIR, taking help of a lawyer, or proceeding of the case are all taken care by the commission.
Even statement in the courts can be done virtually with the permission of the court, she added.
Apila said the commission has been empowered with powers of a civil count. She cited that it can therefore resolve non cognizable offences by bringing parties to a viable solution.
She pointed out that in today’s world, ignorance of law is not an excuse and called all concerned to access the services through different avenues that the commission have.
Emphasizing on the legal procedures, she explained that domestic violence cases are to be completed within 60 days. However, if the victim wishes to file appeal, it has to be filed within 30 days.
NSCW Chairperson of W. Nginyeih Konyak, while delivering the keynote address, encouraged women to start exercising their rights at home while adding that offences of domestic violence prevail within the home and not outside. Konyak further encouraged women to become advocates in the society, which should not only be known by women but by the general public.
