Participants and officials during the legal awareness programme held at ZAPO Hall, Zuketsa on August 29. (Photo Courtesy: PRA, NSLSA)
Phek, August 29 (MExN): Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in collaboration with Phek District Legal Authority (DLSA), Controller of Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection, Nagaland and Zuketsa Area Public Organization (ZAPO) organised legal awareness programme at ZAPO Hall, Zuketsa on August 29.
Member Secretary, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Neiko Akami, NJS, stressed that free legal services are vital to ensuring that social and economic disadvantage does not become a barrier to justice in Nagaland, the PRA, NSLSA said in a press release.
He said Legal Services Authorities provide free legal assistance to eligible persons, including help in understanding legal rights, preparing legal documents and accessing legal remedies.
In Nagaland, Front Offices are functioning in all 11 districts, manned by Panel Lawyers and Para-Legal Volunteers, to facilitate access to legal services without any charge.
Akami also highlighted free legal aid for persons lodged in jails, noting that many inmates come from less privileged backgrounds. He said they are assisted through mechanisms including the Legal Aid Defense Counsel (LADC) scheme and Under-Trial Review Committee (UTRC) meetings to safeguard their legal and constitutional rights.
He pointed to Lok Adalats as an effective mechanism for speedy and amicable settlement of disputes, noting that more than 600 cases had been settled during the year.
Akami also underscored the importance of victim compensation and community intervention. Referring to human-wildlife conflict, he said NALSA has a scheme providing legal assistance, relief and compensation to affected persons, while also highlighting compensation available in motor vehicle accident claims.
Speaking on the POCSO Act, JMFC-cum-Secretary, DLSA, Phek, Kilemsungla Jamir, NJS, stressed that sexual offences against children extend beyond rape or penetrative sexual assault to include inappropriate touching, sexual intent, sexual harassment and the use or creation of child sexual abuse material.
She urged public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected offences, assuring that the identities of the person reporting are protected.
Jamir noted that offenders are often known to the child or family and may be anyone within the child’s circle of trust. She also urged adults to be attentive to child’s behaviour and other early signs that may indicate abuse, stressing the importance of listening to and acting on such signals.
Inspector, Legal Metrology & Consumer Protection, Phek, Er Juwe Pojar, highlighted the importance of complying with Legal Metrology laws and rules, particularly on accurate weighing, measurement and mandatory declarations in commercial transactions.
She noted that several local products in Nagaland are increasingly being sold without required packaging licence, which can be obtained from the department, and warned that non-compliance may invite penalties.
Pojar said consumers have the right to ask shopkeepers for verification certificates for weighing and measuring instruments, which are required to be verified periodically, generally once a year.
She urged traders to ensure that their instruments carry valid verification certification and reminded consumers of their right not to pay more than the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) and encouraged them to lodge complaints with the appropriate consumer authorities in case of violations.
Retainer Lawyer, DLSA Phek, Sekhotso Rokha, speaking on Consumer Protection Act, said consumers are entitled to a range of rights in relation to goods and services, including right to safety, information, being heard and seeking redressal.
He observed that consumers often overlook these rights and stressed the importance of keeping bills, cash memos and product labels as proof of purchase. Citing cases of food poisoning, he said consumers may face difficulty seeking redressal without documentary evidence linking the product to the seller.
Rokha also urged consumers to check product labels, expiry dates and other mandatory declarations before making a purchase.
He highlighted that consumer protection also extends to deficiencies in services, including cases of medical negligence, which may be addressed through appropriate legal or consumer redressal mechanisms.
He further advised consumers to be alert to additional or unlawful charges. In cases where GST is charged, consumers should check whether the seller is registered and ensure that the applicable tax is properly reflected on the bill, rather than simply accepting an additional amount described as “GST.”
Earlier, the programme was chaired by ZAPO General Secretary, Nyitso Therie and ZAPO president Keduitsolhi Wetsah delivered welcome address. Around 150 leaders including from council, women, youth and students covering ZAPO attended the programme.
