IMPHAL, November 9: The Legal Services Day was observed today at the Khamnam Leirak Community Hall by the Imphal West Legal Services Authority and All Manipur Nupu Marup. A one-day legal awareness programme was also conducted as a part of the observation.
Speaking as resource person on the topic ‘POCSO & Legal Services Authority Act’, LMS Law College assistant professor Ch Momon Singh said the act is a newly adopted act pertaining to children less than 18 years of age with the purpose of safeguarding the interests and well being of children at every stage for ensuring their physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.
People who traffic children for various purposes are also punishable under the provisions of the Act, he said, adding the Act prescribes stringent punishment as per the gravity of the offence with a maximum sentence of rigorous imprisonment for life with a fine.
He stated that under this Act the police are cast in the role of child protectors during the investigative process.
Momon Singh appealed the people who could not afford to hire a lawyer to take the advantage of Legal Aid Clinic.
Speak on the topic of ‘Public-Police Relationship’, Imphal West additional SP, K Meghachandra said that the relationship between the public and police is not so good in the State. The role of police is diverse, he said, adding that the police department is lacking in many areas and it could not address all the issues of the people.
For improving the law and order situation, many steps are being taken up such as completing 30 charge sheets within a month and holding meetings to fight crime twice a month, he said, adding that crime is a social disease and the police need the cooperation of the public to fight crime.
Imphal West chief judicial magistrate RK Memcha Devi, All Manipur Nupi Marup president S Sorojini Devi and Human Rights Law Network joint director Th Premlata Devi also attended the Legal Services Day observation.
CHANDEL: Chandel observed the National Legal Services Day with an awareness programme held at Japhou Bazar Indoor Stadium today.
Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Civil Judge Senior Division W Tonen Meitei who is also the secretary of the District Legal Services Authority attended the day as president while Chandel District Bar Association president advocate Rt Rebirthson, Maha Area Chiefs’ Association president Sng Lumdil as well as president of NSUC Sr Joningam were present as the guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering CJM Tonen said any women, ST/SC, raped victim or any victims, handicapped and their families whose annual income is under Rs 1 lakhs can avail free legal aid through the Manipur Legal Services Authority Act 1987 and as well as Para Legal Volunteers (PLV).
Speaking on the aim, objective and significance of the observation, the magistrate informed that the Manipur Legal Services Authority Act 1987, enacted by the Parliament under provision of Article 39 A of the Indian Constitution came into practice since November 9, 1995 after it was amended in 1994.
He also spoke on the principles of the National Lok Adalat and its procedure.
Advocate Rebirthson spoke on the topic of life and liberty under the Constitution of India.
The observation organized jointly by the District Legal Services Authority Chandel, Para Legal Volunteers and Chandel District Bar Association was attended by around 150 people comprising of student leaders, village chiefs and Chandel police personnel.
Our Bishnupur Correspondent adds: The District Legal Services Authority, Bishnupur joined hands with the Leimapokpam-Khunpham Apunba Shanaroi Lup, LASHAL to observe the National Legal Service Day with a Legal Awareness Campaign at Leimapokpam Bazar today.
The camp was attended by District & Sessions Judge, Bishnupur M Manojkumar, LASHAL working president O Ibotomba, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bishnupur Binny Ngangom as chief guest and president, respectively.
Principal of the Royal Academy of Law, Oinam I Jugeshwar, OC Bishnupur Police N ingocha, advocate S Premchand spoke as resource persons on the topics ‘Right to Information’, ‘Police and Public Relations’ and ‘Crime against Woman’, respectively.
Jugeshwar said that any citizen of the country can apply an RTI to get information on the use of any fund, implementation of schemes/ programmes.
Today’s programme was attended by several locals and representatives of different organisations.
JIRIBAM: The National Legal Service Day cum One Day Legal Awareness was also observed in Jiribam sub-division organised by the District Legal Service Authority, Imphal East, Jiribam at the auditorium of the Jiribam Government Higher Secondary School.
The one day legal awareness programme was conducted on Lok Adalat, Right to Information Act and Arrest and Detention.
The programme which started at 1pm was attended by Senior Citizen Society, Jiribam general secretary S Maniton Singh and Civil Judge, Jr Division/ JMIC, Jiribam Lamkholal Kipgen as chief guest and president respectively.
Maniton said India is a democratic country and every citizen should understand the law.
Advocate I Inaobi Devi delivered the welcome address cum key note address.
Resource persons advocate KB Roy spoke on ‘Right to Information’ advocate L Romen Singh on Lok Adalat, while advocate S Gpendro Singh spoke on ‘arrest and detention.’
The programme was attended by civil organisations representatives, meira paibis and police personnel.
KAKCHING: As in other parts of the State, the National Legal Services Day was observed at the auditorium of the Library and Information Centre, Kakching organised by the District Legal Services Authority, Thoubal today.
The day was observed with the conduct of a legal awareness programme.
The programme was attended by District and Session judge Thoubal Salam Imocha Singh as chief guest, legal Aid Clinic, Kakching legal volunteer Dhananjoy Singh as president and retd ZEO Pukhrambam Nimai Singh as guest of honour.
Advocate M Paikhomba Singh spoke on ‘Food Security Act and its scheme’, advocate Y Deva Dutta on ‘arrest and detention’ while additional PP to district and Session Judge, Thoubal A Gopendro Sharma spoke on ‘Right to Information Act.’
A similar programme was also held at theThoubal Court Complex and Yairipok Bamon Leikai organised by the District Legal Services Authority, Thoubal.
NONE: The District Legal Services Authority has organised a legal awareness programme cum observance of Legal Services Day at Longmai None Bazar Board office today.
In the observation, Dimthaochung Kamei, chairman of the Bazar Board was the chief guest, Pungam Keishing, officer-in-charge of None Police Station was the guest of honour. Chief Judicial Magistrate of Tamenglong District, A Noutuneshwari Devi presided the function.
Noutuneshwari speaking at the observation said public should take the opportunity of free legal service help through the district or State Legal Services Authority and also participate in the forthcoming National Lok Adalat Day on December 6.
K Pradipkumar Singh, chairman of Child Welfare Committee, CWC Imphal East spoke as resource person. He dwelled on Juvenile Justice Act and Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO Act, 2012).