Morung Express News
Kiusum | June 12
The Kiphire District Legal Services Authority today observed International Day Against Child Labour at Kiusum on June 12.
Akumla Longchari, Co-ordinator, Nagaland State Legal Services Authority who spoke on the topic Protection Against Child Labour with emphasis on NALSA Schemes, 2015, touched on various laws available for children and Juvenile and added, Laws like RTE under the Art 21 of the Constitution of India, Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO and The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 which deals especially with Children.
She disclosed that children constitute almost half of this Country’s population but is also a home to the largest number of child labour as they are compelled to work for their livelihood and expressed sadness over this fact.
Urging the village authorities to be alert and sensitive towards the child issues, she asked them not to blindly send their children outside their homes either for studies or as domestic helpers without knowing the identity of the care takers. She also said that child labour sometimes may lead to physical or sexual abuse of the child and at times the child is compelled to run away from their home and go missing and asked the village elders to be vigil.
Hotingkiu Sangtam, Panel Lawyer, Kiphire DLSA spoke on the Village Council Act and stated that through this Act, the Village people are empowered at the grass root level. He mentioned on the decentralization of power to the village authorities and said that the Act need to be understood and followed as it is not a self styled resolutions contradicting the provisions of the Act. He highlighted the important provisions of the Act and advised them to follow the instructions given by the Government in letter and spirit so that they will co-exist peacefully in the village.
A Legal Aid Clinic at EAC office at Kiusum was also inaugurated by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kiphire & Secretary, Kiphire DLSA Mezivolu T Therieh, NJS in the presence of the village elders, GBs DBs and citizens on the same day.
Inaugurating the legal clinic, Mezivolu.T Therieh said that under Article 39A of the Constitution of India, it is mandatory that the State should ensure free legal services and free legal aid to each and every person who cannot afford to get justice due to poverty.
Stressing on the need and benefit of the clinic she said that legal aid clinic will in no way affect the customary practice and institution but will provide additional benefits to the people of this area in bring justice to the doorstep.
Further she added, “If there is no law, peace will not prevail in any institution or society. It is the responsibility of every citizen to abide and follow the law of the land.”
Expressing gratitude to the people of the area she said that the clinic is opened for the people of Kiusam area to get awareness in the legal field and also know about the benefits and privileges given by the government and appeal to all to come forward to avail the opportunity.
The programme was chaired by Asuthong, Chairman, Child Welfare Committee & PLV and welcome address was proposed by Pachu, Head DB and Vote of thanks was proposed by Ato, DB.
The team also conducted a legal awareness programme with the children of St John School where the CJM & Secretary spoke to the children on child rights.
