BISHNUPUR, March 9: A one day legal awareness program jointly organised by Development and Protection, United Voluntary Organisation (DPUVO) Nambol and District Legal Services Authority Bishnupur under the sponsorship of Manipur State Legal Services Authority was held on Sunday at Nambol Keithel Public Hall.
District and Session Judge Manipur M Manojkumar attended as chief guest while chairperson of Nambol Municipal Council H Somarendro Singh presided over the function and advisors of DPUVO Ng Naba, T Ibochouba, Dr Kh Shamungou, M Ibohal as guests of honour respectively. Around 160 local members, NGO, meirapaibi representatives attended the said program.
The president of the Bishnupur District Bar Association advocate Yelam Ramananda talked on the topic ‘Crime against Women’ while principal of the Royal Academy of Law Oinam, Irengbam Jugeshwar delivered a lecture on ‘Right to Information Act’.
M Manojkumar and director of Human Rights Law Networks Manipur lectured on ‘Free Legal Aid’ and ‘MGNREGA and PDS’ respectively. Interaction between resource persons and public was the main event of the program.
In his key note address, Th Lamjingba said that the public of Nambol area are not aware on Legal Aid thereby missed out many benefits; and further said that the purpose of organising this program is to spread awareness and share the knowledge.
In his speech as chief guest, Manojkumar mentioned that every woman and man whose annual income is less than one lac per annum can take the benefit of Legal Aid free of cost and the Act was enforced ten years back and added that few people are taking this benefit and no one is taking benefit in district of Bishnupur.
He said the general public has no idea as to how to avail the aid.
Today, a lawyer’s fees are very high and amounts not less than Rs 20-30 thousand per trial.
He further urged the public to come forward to avail free legal aid.