Kohima, 9 November (MTNews): A State Level Commendation program for Best Para Legal Volunteers, Best Panel Lawyers, and Legal Service Clinics at Educational Institutions (School and College Level), in commemoration of National Legal Services Day, was organized by Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) on 9 November at DPDB Hall, DC Office Complex, Kohima.
Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, Ajongba Imchen, while delivering a special address, opined that there must be a legal revolution in every village by enabling people to know about their rights and entitlement under the constitution. Imchen emphasized that the legal services institution is the most important institution in the constitution of India, entrusted with the task of uplifting the weaker sections of the state and bringing change into society. He encouraged Panel lawyers and Para-legal volunteers to understand the rights of the people and spread legal awareness to the weaker sections.
The registrar, however, underscored that this mission of legal services can only be fulfilled by those who have a passion and extra determination to change the system. He stated that legal services should not only be free but competent and appropriate to suit the needs of the people, whether individual or group, so that people also have confidence in their work. Imchen asked them to work based on the objective of the Legal Services Act, keeping in mind the perspective of providing free and competent legal service to the weaker sections.
Member Secretary, Victo Sema, NJS, while delivering the keynote address, said that the commemoration of National Legal Services Day is a day for legal services members to retrospect and introspect and to have a clear roadmap for the future. He mentioned that the Legal Services Act today is not institutionalized to four walls but has reached out to the farthest corners to reach all citizens of the country. Speaking about how the legal services institution came about, he said today the legal services have become a giant mission, with each part operating separately in a unified command. Sema emphasized that it requires collective support to give services to the poor.
Best panel lawyer P Monyei Phom shared her experience as a panel lawyer in the legal services institution. During the state-level commendation, awards under five categories were presented. P Monyei Phom (Longleng DLSA) was awarded Best Panel Lawyer, and Imsutoshi Sangtam from Tuensang DLSA won Best Community Para Legal Volunteer (PLV). Hito Swu from Zunheboto DLSA was given the Best Para Legal Volunteer (PLV) in Prison. Kohima College, Kohima, under Kohima DLSA, was given the Best Legal Aid Clinic in Educational Institution (College Level), and Stella Higher Secondary School, Kohima, under Kohima, won Best Legal Aid Clinic in Educational Institution (School Level).
Kezhosano Kikhi, Legal Aid Defense Counsel, Kohima, chaired the program, and Wokono Yhoshii, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kohima, delivered the welcome address.