The 2nd Quarterly National Lok Adalat 2025 conducted across the state by District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) disposed of 219 cases, with a total settlement amount of Rs 2,38,99,111 (Rupees Two Crore Thirty-Eight Lakhs Ninety-Nine Thousand One Hundred Eleven only). A total of 290 cases were taken up for settlement. Out of the disposed cases, 192 were at the pre-litigation stage and 27 were pending trial cases. The cases mostly involved bank loan recoveries, telephone bill recoveries, MACT (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal) matters, and other consumer and civil disputes.
The National Lok Adalat (NLA), popularly known as the People’s Court, is an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism aimed at reducing the backlog of court cases, providing access to justice for marginalized communities, and ensuring timely and cost-effective dispute resolution.
It may be mentioned that in 2024, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) recognized the Nagaland SLSA for achieving the highest disposal percentage of pending cases during the 1st NLA held on March 9, 2024. The Nagaland SLSA also showed significant improvement in disposal percentages during the 2nd and 4th NLAs held the same year.
Zunheboto DLSA conducted the 2nd Quarterly NLA at the District Court Complex, Zunheboto. District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, Zunheboto DLSA, Phuleto Yeptho (NJS) was the presiding officer. Easter H. Yepthomi and Inolito K. Sumi served as conciliators. A total of three pre-litigation bank recovery cases were taken up, and two were disposed of with a settlement amount of Rs 10,38,219.
Phek DLSA conducted the 2nd Quarterly National Lok Adalat at SBI, Chozuba. The programme was chaired by Sekhotso Rokha, Panel Lawyer, Phek DLSA, while Mezivolu T. Therieh (NJS), District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, Phek DLSA, addressed the gathering on the significance of the National Lok Adalat. Chairperson Mezivolu T. Therieh presided over the proceedings, with Vethothi Vero (Retainer Lawyer) and Sekhotso Rokha (Panel Lawyer) as conciliators. A total of 24 pre-litigation bank recovery cases from SBI (Chozuba) and NStCB (Phek, Pfutsero, and Chozuba) were disposed of with a settlement amount of Rs 26,04,401.
Kohima DLSA conducted its 2nd Quarterly National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex. Duvelu Vero (NJS), Principal District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, Kohima DLSA, was the presiding officer, with Panel Lawyers serving as conciliators. A total of 34 cases were put up, including 12 bank recovery cases, 13 telephone bill recovery cases, and 9 miscellaneous cases. Of these, 13 telephone bill recovery cases, 3 miscellaneous cases, and 19 bank recovery cases were taken up and settled. The total outstanding amount was Rs 2,23,69,327, of which Rs 23,04,002 was settled. Ten banks and two telecom offices participated in the Lok Adalat.
Kiphire DLSA held its 2nd Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Kiphire. It was presided over by Holika Sukhalu, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Kiphire DLSA. SBI Kiphire branch and the Co-operative Bank participated. A total of 10 bank loan recovery cases were taken up, of which 8 were disposed of with a settlement amount of Rs 5,70,370.
Longleng DLSA held its 2nd Quarterly National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex in collaboration with SBI Longleng. Four bank loan recovery cases were taken up and disposed of with a total settlement amount of Rs 84,157 (Rupees Eighty-Four Thousand One Hundred Fifty-Seven). Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Longleng DLSA, Kumdilong Kessen (NJS), was the presiding officer. Panel Lawyers P. Monyei Phom and Panglang Y. Phom served as conciliators, assisted by PLVs Asangpongjei, Yingli, and Hentok.
Mokokchung DLSA conducted its 2nd Lok Adalat at the District Court, chaired by Julian Sithlhou, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Mokokchung DLSA. Eleven bank loan recovery cases were taken up and disposed of, with a total settlement amount of Rs 9,86,735.
Peren DLSA conducted the National Lok Adalat at Jalukie Town. CJM-cum-Secretary, Peren DLSA, Atoka Achumi (NJS) presided over the proceedings. Conciliators included Asungbe, Inchang Hiekha, Kidungyi Putlang, and Italang Ramlia, assisted by PLV Santhuilakbo. Four pre-litigation bank recovery cases were taken up and successfully settled with a total amount of Rs 9,76,000.
Mon DLSA conducted its 2nd National Lok Adalat at the District Court, Mon. The presiding officer was Nokshei Kano (NJS), District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, Mon DLSA, along with Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Wokono Yhoshii. Panel Lawyers Angun Konyak, N. Mannon, M. Moba, and Henlem P. acted as conciliators. A total of 22 bank recovery cases (5 pre-litigation and 17 pending trial) were taken up. Three cases (1 pre-litigation and 2 pending trial) were disposed of with a settlement amount of Rs 8,39,481.
Tuensang DLSA conducted its 2nd Quarterly National Lok Adalat at the SBI Main Branch, Tuensang. The session was presided over by Principal District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, Tuensang DLSA, Somet Chumden Chang (NJS), with Retainer Lawyer Amtimangyang Chang as conciliator. Ten bank recovery cases were taken up, out of which seven were disposed of, amounting to a total settlement of Rs 14,97,346.
Wokha DLSA held the 2nd National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Wokha. Seyielenuo Mezhu, District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, Wokha DLSA, presided over the event. Panel Lawyers Shanchobeni P. Lotha and Longtsubeni Humtsoe served as conciliators. Six pre-litigation bank recovery cases were taken up and disposed of, with a total settlement amount of Rs 4,32,500.
Dimapur DLSA held the 2nd National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Dimapur. N. Longshithung Ezung (NJS), Chairman, Dimapur DLSA, introduced the event, and Atoka Achumi (NJS), CJM-cum-Secretary, DDLSA, highlighted the purpose of the Lok Adalat. All panel lawyers of the Dimapur DLSA acted as conciliators. A total of 133 pre-litigation cases were taken up, out of which 93 were disposed of. Additionally, 22 pending trial cases were settled. The total settlement amount was Rs 1,25,65,900.