Officials during the legal awareness programme held at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma in Kohima on April 18,.
Kohima, April 19 (MExN): The Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA), in collaboration with Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, organised a legal awareness programme on April 18 at the college auditorium, focusing on citizen rights, cyber crime and access to legal aid.
The programme was chaired by KDLSA panel lawyer Kekhriengunuo Catherine, while panel lawyer Wonchano Humstoe delivered a presentation and acknowledged dignitaries and resource persons.
Delivering the welcome address, Principal of Kohima Science College Dr Temjenwabang appreciated the role of the Legal Aid Clinic and urged students and faculty to make use of legal services available to them. He highlighted pressing issues such as climate change and cyber crime, noting that lack of awareness often leaves individuals vulnerable. He stressed the need for greater legal literacy to help people protect themselves from exploitation and victimisation.
In his keynote address, Neiko Akami, Member Secretary of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), emphasised inclusive access to justice, stating that legal aid services are available to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and children. He informed that legal services are being extended to inmates across 12 jails in Nagaland.
Akami also spoke about the conduct of National Lok Adalats and the role of legal services institutions in victim compensation, stating that district authorities under NSLSA disbursed ₹32 lakh to victims in 2025.
Speakers highlighted the role of Legal Aid Clinics in assisting with drafting applications, addressing grievances and reporting complaints within educational institutions. It was also noted that NSLSA regularly organises seminars and legal camps in collaboration with various departments and stakeholders to expand outreach.
The first technical session on “Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of Citizens” was delivered by Mezivolu T Therieh, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson, KDLSA. She underscored the importance of applying laws with practical understanding and maintaining a balance between rights and responsibilities.
Therieh elaborated on the right to equality, freedom of speech and expression, and Article 21—the Right to Life—stating that it includes the right to live with dignity. She cautioned against misuse of free speech through hate speech, misinformation and defamation, adding that “one’s rights end where another’s dignity begins.”
Addressing student-related concerns, she emphasised the need for a discrimination-free academic environment and urged teachers to monitor students’ mental well-being. She also encouraged reporting of discrimination to Internal Complaints Committees and highlighted the importance of addressing sexual harassment in workplaces.
She further spoke on menstrual hygiene, the need for adequate sanitation facilities and access to clean water, and stressed civic duties such as protecting public property and assisting in legal processes, including reporting accidents and cooperating with investigations.
The second session, on “Cyber Crimes: Prevention, Prohibition and Protection,” was delivered by Gurpreet Kaur, IPS, Officer-in-Charge of North Police Station, Kohima. She attributed the rise in cyber crime to increased digital dependence and lack of awareness.
Kaur outlined common cyber frauds, including OTP and banking scams, fake job offers, loan app harassment, online shopping frauds and cryptocurrency-related scams. She advised the public not to share sensitive information online and to remain cautious on unfamiliar platforms.
She also detailed steps for victims, including contacting the national cyber helpline (1930), reporting incidents on the official portal, informing banks immediately, preserving evidence and filing an FIR at the nearest police station.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by I Lina Achumi, Assistant Professor and Paralegal Volunteer at Kohima Science College.
A total of 10 panel lawyers, seven paralegal volunteers, and around 400 students and faculty members attended the programme.
