Kohima, July 10 (MExN): The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) has disbursed a total of Rs. 36,85,000 as victim compensation to 17 individuals for the financial year spanning April 2023 to March 2024. This initiative falls under the Nagaland Victim Compensation Scheme, 2012, and the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Compensation Scheme for Women Victims/Survivors of Sexual Assault/other Crimes-2018.
Funded through the Home Department, Relief & Rehabilitation, Government of Nagaland, the compensation has been sanctioned for applicants recommended by various District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) and the NSLSA. These recommendations were subsequently forwarded to the State Home Department for final approval.
The recipients include victims of crimes such as rape under the POCSO Act, sexual assault, and loss of life due to criminal acts. Among the beneficiaries are 14 minor girls, 1 minor boy, and two male individuals.
The Victim Compensation Scheme aims to provide financial aid to victims or their dependents who have suffered injury or loss due to crime, facilitating their rehabilitation. Applicants must submit their claims to the Legal Services Authority with supporting documents like FIRs, medical reports, and case judgments or recommendations.
Compensation amounts are determined based on various criteria including the severity of the offence, impact on livelihood, age (in cases of loss of life), monthly income, number of dependents, and whether the crime was an isolated incident or part of a recurring series.
