Kohima, September 11 (MExN): A two-day refresher training for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) of all districts was held from September 10-11 at Bookmarc conference hall, Dimapur.
Organized by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), the training was graced by Alok Agarwal, Member Secretary and Geetanjali Goel, Director, of the National Legal Services Authority, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, GoI.
During the inaugural programme, Nino Iralu (NJS), Member Secretary, NSLSA urged the PLVs to carry out their duty to identify the needy persons and also to link the common people with their respective District Legal Services Authority for any prompt needs of legal assistance, according to a press release from NSLSA. Legal Aid Counsel, District Chairman or Secretaries, she assured, will be available to assist the Para Legal Volunteers, anytime, anywhere.
G.H Ramilia, Principal District & Session Judge, Dimapur, while exhorting the participants maintained that rights and duties play important roles for the common people. He stated that without rules and regulation, law has no purpose and direction. Articles 14 of the constitution, he reminded, states equal rights to all the citizens of India. He pointed out that Para Legal Volunteers are the bridge between the common people and legal institutions. Therefore, he advised them to guide the people into the right way for the betterment of the next generation. He further stated that PLVs are the eye opener of the people, particularly the poor and downtrodden. He urged them not to be discouraged by the sacrifices that they endure while discharging their duties and services. PLVs are to work like evangelist/missionary for the legal service, he added.
In his valedictory address, Alok Agarwal encouraged the PLVs to work as bridges to fill the gap between the judicial system and the common people. He urged them to be thorough with the Acts and entitlements such as Domestic Violence Act, Juvenile Justice Act, Consumer Protection Act, child trafficking and create awareness in their own locality. He also encouraged the PLVs to be well equipped and informed with the subject matter and to handle situations in an appropriate way.
Imtiakum Ao, Deputy Secretary, Department of Justice & Law in his valedictory address termed the trained PLVs as "Royal Soldiers" who will fight against legal illiteracy. He lamented that Nagaland is only in its second generation in legal field and also asserted that corruption in Nagaland is rising high because people are not aware of their rights. He urged upon all the PLVs to work with full dedication towards making Nagaland a Legal Illiteracy Free State, which will in turn eradicate corruption from the State.
98 Para Legal Volunteers from the 11 districts of Nagaland attended the training.
