Tuensang, April 6 (MExN): A one-day training-cum-orientation programme for Panel Lawyers & Para Legal volunteers was held at NAVINN Conference Hall on April 1. The training was organised by Tuensang District Legal Services Authority under the aegis of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority, a press release informed.
Mayang Lima, Session Judge & Chairman of Tuensang DLSA while speaking on the “Do’s & Don’ts”, said that as a citizen of a Democratic country, we stand on three pillars i.e., Legislation, Executive and Judiciary.
Unless the set up works properly it gives rooms for corruption resulting in non-availability and improper implementation of laws and welfare schemes, poor governance etc., he viewed and suggested that helping the common man in securing access to justice would strengthen the judiciary and contribute towards achieving the proper working of all three pillars.
Stating that Para Legal Volunteers are mediators between the common man and legal institution, Mayang advised the PLVs to sit in the 24 Legal Aid Clinic setup within Tuensang District to render services to the legal aid seeker.
Resource persons, Yimtsusangla Chang, Retainer Lawyer, Tuensang DLSA initiated a practical session on Do’s & Don’ts of Panel lawyers and PLVs. Practical on Writing Petition/Complain/FIR was presented by Tongpang L. Jamir, Master Trainer (PL), NSLSA. Tongpang also shared on Consumer Redressal Techniques & Forum.
Role Play on Crimes Against Women/Children, Human Trafficking and role play by a PLV was coordinated by Akumla Longchari, Master Trainer (PL), NSLSA. The role play involved Short play on Domestic violence which demonstrated procedure to the PLVs to enable them to assist the victim of domestic violence and seeking interim remedy from the competent court to the aggrieved women.
Important terms on Juvenile Justice Act was also introduced by Akumla Longchari, illustrating the definition and to clarify as to who are juvenile, category of juvenile such as Child in need of care and protection and juvenile in conflict with law, where the case is to be referred and where the juvenile are to be kept.
L. Likhase Sangtam, Retainer Lawyer, Kiphire DLSA conducted Interaction on Motor Vehicle Accident Claims/Cases and explained the Role of a PLV in such cases and also apprised the trainee on Prisoner Rights and Legal Services.
Maintenance of Record/PLV Register/Filing of Success Stories was presented by M. Glory Sema, Panel Lawyer, NSLSA and Group Discussion on NALSA Schemes was chaired by Yimtsusangla Chang.
Mayang Lima, while wrapping up the discussion, apprised the participants on some of the vital facts and concerns to be noted while serving as PLVs. He asked the participants to remember while giving assistance to the aggrieved women in case of domestic violence case, to seek interim custody, protection and maintenance.
In case of accident, gratuitous passenger travelling in goods vehicle cannot claim compensation unless he or she is the owner of the goods or a labour for loading and unloading the goods. In case of accident when a victim is not a government employee, it should be mandatory to obtain income certificate from the Village Council or Area Chairman or execute affidavit to that effect to prove income seeking compensation.
Mayang further pointed out that a passenger while travelling should always insist on ticket that would amount to subsisting agreement till reaching destination. In case of accident, passenger list, ticket list, police report, Medical report, medical certificate are required to be submitted to claim compensation. If the claimant does not have money to hire lawyer, they can approach front office for availing Legal Aid Counsel free of cost.
PLVs were also encouraged to create awareness to the public not to wait for someone to write the FIR. If he/she is illiterate they can just reach out to the Police station and one of the officers in Police Station will write and read out the contents to the complainant and will supply one copy.
PLVs were also made clear on type of offence categorized as cognizable and non-cognizable. If any person does not want to approach the Police officer than they can also directly file complaint before the Magistrate.
Rights of a prisoner – both under trial and convicted – should be checked, since there are many rights for them and ensure that those rights are given to them.
It was also clarified during the discussion that ex-gratia is a welfare scheme by the Government and not a compensation Scheme and therefore MACT claim can be filed before the forum.
A total of 27 participants attended the orientation training program.
