The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) concluded its Summer Internship Programme 2026 with a culmination programme at the DC Conference Hall, Kohima, on July 31, with 44 law students completing the month-long internship.
Delivering the appraisal and keynote address, NSLSA Member Secretary Neiko Akami, NJS, described lawyers as “defenders of justice” and urged the interns to become “harbingers of justice” by upholding the rule of law with integrity and compassion.
Akami said the programme was designed to bridge the gap between legal education and practice by exposing students to the justice delivery system. He said it also sought to instil professional ethics, strengthen legal reasoning and encourage future lawyers to use law to protect vulnerable people and ensure access to justice.
Highlighting the consequences of alcoholism and drug abuse in Naga society, Akami said 766 NDPS cases were registered in Nagaland between 2023 and June 2026, with 1,204 accused persons arrested, including 246 women and 958 men.
He said 4,627 cases remained pending across 11 Judicial District Courts as of June, while 639 cases were disposed of during the month. At the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, 106 cases were disposed of and 804 remained pending.
Akami cited cases involving substance abuse, murder, drug trafficking and crimes against children to underline the devastating consequences of addiction and violence. He also recalled the 2012 Nirbhaya case as a turning point in India’s criminal justice system and subsequent reforms concerning sexual offences.
During the internship, students visited the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, district courts, police stations, orphanage homes, Central Jail, District Jail and other institutions. They also participated in legal awareness activities organised by District Legal Services Authorities.
The programme was chaired by Nulhuvolu Rhakho, Panel Lawyer, Kohima DLSA.
