Mokokchung, November 14 (MTNews): Along with the rest of the country, District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and direction of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) carried out the ‘Haq humara bhi to hai@75’, a campaign for providing basic legal assistance to persons confined in prisons and child care institutions and “Empowerment of citizens through legal awareness and outreach.” It is a Pan India Campaign for bridging the gap between the institutions and the underprivileged by spreading legal awareness and ensuring delivery of legal entitlements to eligible beneficiaries to commemorate the 75th year of Independence. The campaigns culminated on November 13 in Nagaland.
Tuensang: On November 13, Tsurito, Para Legal Volunteer of Shamator district under Tuensang DLSA conducted a door to door legal awareness programme as part of the campaign. PLV distributed pamphlets on social welfare schemes and health and family welfare schemes, RTE, Domestic Violence Act, National Food security Act and legal aid services. Other Door-door campaigns were also conducted at Longkhim and Noklak.
Tuensang DLSA also conducted a legal Awareness programme at Helipong village under Tuensang District. Chulongla Administrator Sakhi -one Stop centre explained about welfare schemes and Antimangyang Chang, Retainer lawyer spoke on Lok Adalat, law relating to women and child, victim compensation, NALSA schemes and village council act. Closing remark was given by Cheliam Khiamniungan Secretary. She highlighted about free legal aid and services provided by legal service institutions.
Dimapur: Dimapur DLSA also carried out door-to-door campaign in various parts of Dimapur, Nuiland and Chumuokedima District. The areas covered were Sirhima Village, Medziphema Village under Chumuokedima on November 6; Kuhoxu Village, Niuland.district on November 10; Doyapur, Chumuokedima November 10 and PWD colony, Signal Colony, Rilan Village, Senjum Village, Dimapur on November 13.
During the campaign pamphlets were distributed and also people were made known of the various welfare schemes and legal rights of the citizens.
Wokha: Wokha Panel Lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers on November 13 conducted Door to Door awareness on welfare laws and Schemes, Fundamental Rights & duties, Free Legal aid and Services, Rights and remedies available under various laws at Nyiro Village and Yanthamo Village. During the awareness Legal Pamphlets, IEC material in Local Dialect and English were also distributed to the public. Wokha DLSA Core Team had a sitting and interaction with Field Team and Outreach Team on November 10.
Wokha DLSA also visited District Jail, Wokha on November 12.The team had an interaction with each prisoner, also provided Legal advice, counselling led by Panel Lawyers Renbonthung Tsanglao Jacob Kikon. There were 17 UTPS and 4 convicts.
Kiphire: Kiphire DLSA on November 12, conducted an awareness programme at District Jail Kiphire with the inmates. Bendangwati Retainer Lawyer spoke about rights and duties of the prisoners and Panel Lawyer spoke on fundamental rights. At present there are 6 inmates in total. 4 UTPs and 2 convicts.
Kohima: Kohima DLSA on November 9 along with the PLs & PLVs appraised the team about the importance of the campaign and how to interact with the inmates. The DLSA carried out the campaign for three days. As such, altogether 70 inmates (60 UTPs and 10 Convicts) were imparted legal awareness and assistance. Kohima DLSA visited the Observation Home, Kohima. PLs and PLVs interacted with the staff and some juveniles on different issues. The juveniles were informed about legal services authority and also of their legal rights. At present, there are five cases registered.
Mon: Mon DLSA on November 11 carried out the campaigns by conducting door to door campaign at Tanlao Ward Mon Town and gave legal awareness on Lok Adalat, Food Security Act, Health and Family Welfare Schemes, RTE, Schemes under Social Welfare Department and also distributed booklets and leaflets to the public. Mon DLSA led by Retainer lawyer Topha Angyen and Panel lawyers Angun, Mannon and Ngampa along with PLV Athikho on November 5 visited District Jail Mon and interacted with the inmates. At present there are 40 UTPs and 23 convicts. With regard to observation homes there are no inmates at present.
Zunheboto: Zunheboto DLSA on November 10, conducted a door to door Awareness Campaign in and around Zunheboto town and villages. The team led by Easter H Yepthomi, Retainer Lawyer, Inolito K Sumi, Panel Lawyer and Yeshika Ayemi PLV raised awareness and distributed pamphlets and booklets.
Phek: Phek DLSA on November 10, led by core team Wokono Yhoshii, Secretary, Phek DLSA for the jail and Observation Home held meeting with the field teams and discussed the various activities undertaken with the campaign guidelines and the further course of action on the inmates of jail and Observation Home. During the OH visitation the suggestion made by the JJB members to have a combined legal awareness programme on JJA and JJR with the Child Welfare Committee, CDPU and all Sub-divisional Police stations for better implementation and coordination of the Act and Rules have been considered for further course of action. During the jail visitation by the field team it was found that there was one UTP who was unrepresented by any advocate due to financial constraints. It was also found that there are some UTPs and convicts who need medical assistance.
Longleng: Longleng DLSA on November 3 conducted a door to door awareness Campaign at Longleng town, Yachem Village, Alayong Village and Lingtak Village. led by P Monyei Phom, Panel Lawyer.
Mokokchung: In pursuance of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) campaign for prisoners “Haq-hamara-bhi-to-hai@75” Mokokchung District Legal Services Authority under the aegis of NALSA and Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and in pursuance to NALSA “A Campaign for providing Basic Legal Assistance to persons confined in Prison and Child Care Institutions, MDLSA core team had a sitting and interaction with field team and outreach team.
Core team members:
1. W. V. Patton, Secretary, MDLSA.
2. Limanungsang Jamir, Retainer Lawyer, MDLSA.
3. Bendangsenla, Lady Member, Legal Metrology & Consumer Redressal Forum.
4. Mapujungla Pongen, Panel Lawyer, MDLSA.
Outreach Team:
1. Mapujungla Pongen, PL, MDLSA.
2. Ketiyala, PLV, MDLSA.
3. Akumsenla, PLV, MDLSA.
4. Moanuksung, PLV, MDLSA.
Mokokchung District Legal Services Authority team led by Secretary W.V. Patton visited District Jail Mokokchung and interacted with each inmate and provided legal advice and counseling. The field teams interviewed all the inmates and gathered all the information and prepared information cards for each prisoner during the campaign and handed over the information card to each inmate and explained the status of their case for the purpose of the interview. At present there are 21 UTPs and 09 Convicts.
With regard to observation homes, there are no children in conflict with law and no inmates at present.