Inequality causes conflict, unrest, says HC judge

Dimapur, Nov. 18 (EMN): A legal services camp was organised by Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and Zunheboto District Legal Services Authority (ZDLSA) in collaboration with government departments, stakeholders and nongovernmental organisations, on November 17. A press release to the media informed that Justice Songkhupchong Serto, judge of the Gauhati High Court, spoke during the event. Delivering the inaugural speech, he said that to establish a society, a state or country, one must first promote equality and justice in all spheres of life. He said that the cause of violence and disturbances in communities was because of inequality. Everyone should get a share from the national wealth and benefit from it, he said. He felt that every person has a role in cultivating the foundations of peace. Serto spoke also about the importance of letting benefits and entitlements reach the people in time ‘so that we can build a society where justice prevails and peace and tranquillity flourish.’ The judge urged the department chiefs to serve with sensitivity and that all stakeholders need to ensure and endeavour to see that the benefits reach the right destination. Ensuring so will build a society where there is peace and tranquillity, he said. The welcome address was delivered by Niechochiyi Suyie, district sessions judge. He said that the stalls were set up to disseminate information to the people about their rights and various welfare schemes. It is an opportunity for them to know and avail benefits from these schemes, he said. He encouraged the beneficiaries to enquire about their rights. Mezivolu T Therieh, member-secretary of the NSLSA, also said that the legal services authority was primarily created to reach out to the unreached and to provide legal services to the weaker sections of society. The services seek to identify and connect people to schemes and their benefits, she said. The NSLSA member pointed out that the legal camp was to ‘draw out the effect of paradigm shift from awareness to empowerment’ for the marginalised and weaker sections of society. She also urged nongovernmental organisations and government departments were requested to assist the public in receiving what is due them. She urged the audience to know about their rights to ‘know what they deserve.’ After the keynote address, scholarships were distributed by the district child protect unit to six students; the scholarship was a sum of INR 12, 000, which were given away by Justice Serto. Shanavas C, the deputy commissioner of Zunheboto and Dr. CW Tungoe, the chief medical officer of the district gave speeches during the event too. Shanavas C said that the main cause of backwardness was often the lack of information, which is the people’s ignorance about their rights. The deputy commissioner said that the legal services camp was a golden opportunity, being the first legal camp in Zunheboto, for the people to learn about their rights and to avail welfare benefits. The officer encouraged the beneficiaries to be patient and to inform the authorities of grievances. In his address, Dr. Tungoe said that the legal camp was an opportunity for various government departments to create awareness at the grass root. The communities themselves should also learn of the various welfare benefits available to them. Also, Tungoe spoke to the gathering about some of the medical schemes and services that were available to the people. The schemes include the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram, Janani Suraksha Yojana, etc. Forty six stalls were set up by NSLSA, government departments, stakeholders and nongovernmental organisations, the updates stated. About 7,500 beneficiaries are said to have registered for the day-long camp.