Zunheboto, February 1 (MExN): Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) organized an orientation programme for Panel Lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of Legal Aid Centres of Zunheboto district on January 30 with Nino Iralu, Member Secretary, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) & Special Judge, TDP Vigilance Commission, Kohima as the keynote speaker-cum-resource person.
In her welcome address, Khesheli Chishi, District & Sessions Judge and Chairperson ZDLSA apprised the participants on the theme and purpose of the orientation programme. She lauded the participation of the stakeholders - district administration, police, jails and local legal fraternity - for their continued effort in enhancing the image of the justice delivery system in the district, a press release from ZDLSA secretary Atoka Achumi informed.
The resource person spoke on the primary mandate of the Legal Services Authorities (LSAs) which is to act as a bridge between the citizens and the government by educating the general public of the legal benefits and welfare entitlements available to them. The speaker reiterated that the role of LSAs in the districts is not to usurp the role of the implementing agencies of the State, but to bring ordinary citizens to the doorstep of their service providers, namely the departments concerned.
Iralu also launched seven new schemes of NALSA pertaining to the subject of legal services to victims of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, legal services to workers in the unorganized sector, child friendly legal services to children and their protection, legal services to mentally ill and mentally disabled person, legal services to victims of drug abuse and eradication of drug menace. Further, schemes on the effective implementation of poverty alleviation programmes and protection and enforcement of tribal rights were also introduced to the participants and launched.
The release mentioned that ZDLSA has set up 10 Village Legal Care & Support Centres at Natha-New village, Naghuto-Old village, Lita-New village, Kilo-New village, Surumi village, Khukiye-Lukhai village, Ghuvishe village, Shichimi village, Lukikhe village, and Satoi village covering all the administrative sub-divisions in the district. In addition, a Legal Aid Clinic at District Jail, Zunheboto and a Combined Front Office of the ZDLSA located in the first floor of the District Court building caters to the legal aid requirements of the litigating public.
