Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court and Patron-in-Chief of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Justice Vijay Bishnoi, inaugurated a Legal Services Clinic at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, today. The clinic aimed to enhance legal awareness and provide legal aid to students and locals.
Justice Bishnoi emphasized the need for a collective approach from all stakeholders to empower the people of Nagaland to fully benefit from the various welfare schemes and legal rights they are entitled to. He highlighted the importance of addressing region-specific socio-cultural issues when implementing these schemes and services.
“The focus should not just be on awareness of schemes but also on ensuring people are empowered to access the benefits they are entitled to,” Justice Bishnoi said. He underscored that adequate legal awareness is crucial to ensuring equal access to justice for all, a foundational principle of a robust justice system.
Justice Bishnoi also shared insights on the role of NSLSA, which was established on March 1, 1999. He noted that since its inception, the authority has been at the forefront of spreading legal awareness and providing legal aid, particularly to vulnerable groups such as trafficking victims, senior citizens, and children in need of care and protection.
“The aim is to make people aware of their Constitutional and statutory rights, and to ensure that no one is deprived of justice due to economic disadvantages,” Justice Bishnoi said. He commended NSLSA for focusing on schemes that align with Nagaland’s social and cultural realities, ensuring that legal services are relevant to the state’s needs.
Justice Manish Choudhury, Judge of Gauhati High Court, also spoke at the event, highlighting the ongoing challenge of access to justice, especially in remote and less developed areas. He pointed out that legal awareness and support services are critical to overcoming barriers to justice, particularly in the Northeast region, where geographical and economic challenges hinder access.
Justice Choudhury noted that while there were 47 functioning Legal Services Clinics in the Northeast in 2023-2024, they were only able to assist 615 individuals. The numbers for 2024-2025 were even lower, with assistance provided to just 156 individuals. He called for more Legal Services Clinics in the region to bridge the gap and ensure citizens are aware of their rights and the legal assistance available to them.
“The North-East Region, including Nagaland, faces more barriers—be it geographical, economic, or social—than other parts of the country,” he said.
The event also featured a welcome address by Dr. Temjenwabang, Principal of Kohima Science College, and was chaired by Apila Sangtam, Retainer Lawyer at NSLSA. Other dignitaries in attendance included Y Kikheto Sema, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Law and Justice, K.N. Balgopal, Advocate General of Nagaland, and Neiko Akami, NJS, NSLSA Member Secretary.