Kohima, September 1 (MExN): A state consultation on legal protection for People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Children Affected by AIDS (CABA), and Most at Risk Populations (MARPs) was held on August 30 at the Conference Hall of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Kohima. The consultation was jointly organized by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) and NSLSA.
In his keynote address, Dr. P. Tia Jamir, Joint Director NSACS, said that access to legal services is an important part of guaranteeing protection from discrimination, getting redress for human rights violations and expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment. He further stated that the state consultation is a good step towards strengthening the service mechanism and improving linkages between NSACS and NSLSA.
Giving an overview of NSLSA activities, Nino Iralu, Member Secretary, NSLSA informed that the State Legal Services Authority was established in 1998 in Nagaland by an Act of the State Assembly following which, District Legal Services Authorities were set up in all 11 districts in 2000. Informing that a total of 681 trained Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) are there in the state, Nino said, among the many activities implemented by NSLSA, few core activities include creating awareness on various laws and legislations existing in various departments, creating awareness on welfare schemes made for the common men and setting up of People’s Court or Lok Adalat every month.
The technical sessions during the consultation included overview of National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) implementation in the state and enabling environment, Legal Protection for People infected and affected by HIV & AIDS, experience sharing & challenges of working with PLHIV community (Legal perspective), and experience sharing of working with children infected & affected by HIV & AIDS.
The resource persons were Dr. Bernice D. Thapru, Joint Director (TI), NSACS, Tongpang L. Jamir, Master Trainer, NSLSA, Ashu Theyo, Retainer Lawyer, Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench and Bazo Kire, Treasurer, CABA.
During the discussion hour, the meeting deliberated on how to improve linkage between NSACS & NSLSA, Action plan for district consultation/follow-up meeting in priority districts, training of districts staff under NSACS on legal awareness.
Altogether, 29 participants comprising of NSLSA officials, representative from CABA and officials from NSACS attended the meeting.
