Kohima, July 10 (MExN): The Para-Legal Volunteers (PLVs) under the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) were trained on various laws and procedures during the two-day Refresher Training for PLVs organized by NSLSA in collaboration with Control Arms Foundation of India & Multiple Action Research Group (MARG), New Delhi supported by European Union at ATI, Kohima on July 7.
Speaking on the role of PLVs, Anju Talukdar, executive director MARG said the PLVs bridge the gap between the general public (especially the poor and the vulnerable) and the formal justice system.
The role of the PLVs, she stated, is to bring to the notice of the DLSA cases/issues of gross violation of rights, helping arrestees get legal assistance, helping survivors get compensation under section 357A Cr.P.C, visiting jail, homes, hospitals to find out necessity of legal needs of inmates and also to intimate authorities about absence of any basic necessities of the set-ups
The executive director also highlighted that PLVs’ role is to inform about child labour, trafficking, missing children, spread legal awareness on rights and entitlements of public utilities, water, electricity, insurance, hospital services etc among communities, generate awareness on benefits of mediation, conciliation, Lok Adalats and organising legal aid camps and clinics in the area to spread legal awareness on issues and accessing LSA for resolving disputes.
According to a press release from NSLSA, during the two-day training, the resource persons from MARG – Anju Talukdar, Zaiba Anjum, Local Coordinator, and Ambalika, Programme Coordinator expounded on topics such as sexual offences against women, victim compensation, child sexual offence (POCSO), role of PLVs, introduction to the constitution, understanding fundamental rights, constitutional framework and redress mechanisms (court structure, legal aid, litigation, relevant commission), civil and criminal law, structure of criminal courts, offences, FIR, investigation, arrest, DK Basu guidelines, custody, bail and trial.
The sessions comprised of lecture, discussion, individual and group activity, PowerPoint presentation and role play.
Summing up the training, Mezivolu T. Therieh, NJS, Member Secretary NSLSA pointed out that in districts where there are less Panel Lawyers, the district chairpersons and secretaries rely on the PLVs to carry out the legal services activities. She therefore urged the PLVs to use the knowledge gained from the training and work with compassion, which would go a long way in giving quality legal services.
The Member Secretary further highlighted on the need for more PLVs in the state who will be able to connect with the society.
NK Keny, PLV Dimapur DLSA and Best PLV National 2015 and B. Yemlong Chaba, PLV Tuensang DLSA and Best PLV North East Zone 2016 shared their experiences, while Vitono Haralu, PLV NSLSA presented on dealing with child in distress (special reference to Malaysia experience).
Bendangsenla, PLV Mokokchung DLSA, Peurang Ndang, Peren DLSA, and Tessie, Kohima DLSA were felicitated for their active participation in the training, while all the PLVs were given certificate of participation.
Altogether, 37 PLVs from 11 districts of the State were trained.
