Phek, July 31 (MExN): The Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) began its legal literacy awareness campaign across the district on July 30. The campaign aims at offering literacy and creating awareness for the Dobashis (DBs), Gaonburas (GBs) and Village Council members on various aspects of legal provisions, laws, Acts and Government schemes, informed a press release from Nodal Officer, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority.
The first programme was held at the DC conference hall, Phek along with the DBs, GBs and Village Council members of villages around Phek Town. Longshi Ezung, District & Sessions Judge and Chairperson of PDLSA spoke on Civil Action. He highlighted one of the important statutory laws - the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 and emphasized on various welfare legislations and provisions under the Act.
He informed that insurance for vehicle is compulsory and that vehicles should not be used without insurance. He further spoke on claim of compensation, payment of compensation relating to accident. Ezung also covered the Consumer Protection Act 1986 and stated that a consumer or a recognized consumer association can file a complaint with the Consumer Forum (in District), State Commission (in the State) and National Commission for any nature and cause such as defective product, deficiency in service, unfair trade practice etc.
Ajong Imchen, Civil Judge and Secretary of PDLSA presented on The Village Council Act, 1978 and powers and functions of the subordinate/district customary courts in Nagaland. He illustrated on the functions of the village councils and their functionary structure. To be a qualified village council member, he said, the person has to be a citizen of India, should have attained 25 years of age, and is not convicted for any involvement in moral turpitude by the court of law. Ajong further stated that every village council member and Dobashi manning the customary courts in the State of Nagaland takes the role of a Judge. “Great responsibility lies upon them and therefore the integrity of a village council member, a DB and a GB is the top most important,” he stated, according to the release.
A similar programme was later conducted at Baptist School in Pfutsero Town in collaboration with KALOS Society. The programme commenced with short speeches by Kupelji Losou, Director, KALOS Society; Wezote Kreo, Convenor, ACAUT Pfutsero; and Dr. Naieem Mustafa, IPS.
The resource person, Longshi Ezung, District & Sessions Judge and Chairperson of PDLSA spoke on Civil Action. Mamang Singsong, Panel Lawyer, PDLSA presented on Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Pfukrulhi Khupuh, Panel Lawyer, PDLSA spoke on Right to Information Act (RTI), and Ajongba Imchen covered Ombudsman and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The programme ended with a session of interaction and discussion among the participants, members of KALOS Society, resource persons, and officials of PDLSA.
