Mokokchung, 15 July (MTNews): District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), under Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), organized awareness camps and legal aid clinics for prisoners across the state. These initiatives aimed to enhance legal awareness and provide support to unrepresented prisoners.
On 11 July, Wokha DLSA conducted an awareness camp at the District Jail, Wokha where District and Sessions Judge Nino Iralu, Chairperson of Wokha DLSA, spoke about prisoners’ rights and interacted with under-trial prisoners (UTPs). A Mhabemo, Public Prosecutor, shed light on the POCSO Act, and Jacob Kikon, a panel lawyer, delivered a vote of thanks. The visit identified 47 UTPs and 5 convicted individuals.
In Kiphire, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary Phuleto Yeptho, along with panel lawyer Lizi Sangtam and Para Legal Volunteer Tsasela Sangtam, interacted with inmates at the prison. Basic facilities and inmates’ rights were discussed and a booklet on prisoner rights was distributed. Two convicts and six UTPs were identified.
Dimapur DLSAs organized a legal awareness program at the District Jail and Central Jail on 6 July. Retainer lawyer Sonile Seb and panel lawyer Sangto Longchar spoke about legal services, the rights of accused individuals, bail and trial processes, and appeals.
On 8 July, Kiphire DLSA held an awareness program in Pungro Town, attended by various stakeholders. Phuleto Yepthomi, CJM cum Secretary of Kiphire DLSA, discussed the role of District Legal Services Authority and Lok Adalat. Speakers covered topics such as the Right to Education, Food Security Act, Health and Family Welfare Schemes, PMVVY, and old-age pension schemes. The DLSA team visited the Legal Aid Clinic in Pungro and encouraged the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) to revive their work.
In another visit by Wokha DLSA on the same day, panel lawyers and Para Legal Volunteers visited various Legal Aid Clinics in Wokha. They provided support and guidance to the clinics at the District Jail, Longsa, Bhandari, and Sanis. Additionally, legal pamphlets in the local language (Lotha) and English were distributed to the Legal Aid Clinics.