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Dimapur, Dec. 11 (EMN): Judge of Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman of National Legal Service Authority, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, on Sunday, said Nagaland has a history of resolving differences through traditional laws and cultural methods; and the objective is not to replace the traditional methods but to learn from it and also to learn how a society can survive together by resolving their own disputes.
He said the judiciary is keen on protecting the traditional methods of Nagaland; adding that legal institutions have been put in place so that people will not take decisions in their own hands.
Kaul stated this during the inauguration of a legal service clinic at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), Seithekema, Chümoukedima on Sunday.
He mentioned that the work of a legal service clinic is to attend to people’s small issues, which can potentially help in resolving issues, and therefore this method can help them to keep the litigation out of court.
The judge said that the most important thing is to manage and resolve disputes rather than taking every other litigation through the process.
There were many personal and social issues which, Kaul said, could be resolved outside the court, adding that the advantages of solving issues through community settlements and community litigations would never be possible in a formal legal scenario. He also stressed on the importance of thinking and talking between two parties to solve the issues.
Kaul stated that the purpose and objective of setting up a legal service clinic is to spread legal awareness and provide legal assistance to the socially backward and weaker sections of the society. He also mentioned that a legal service clinic would also provide an insight into the legal issues faced by the common people.
Meanwhile, addressing the gathering, Judge of Gauhati High Court and Chairman of High Court Legal Service Committee, Kohima Bench, Justice Songkhupchung Serto said it was a momentous day not only for this college but for the state of Nagaland and the entire region of NE India.
Serto mentioned that during the past few decades, it (college) has already produced leaders in different fields and have already impacted the NE region. He stated that the commitment, dedication and the spirit of sacrifice of the founders, teaching and none teaching staff of this college towards achieving their vision is ‘something rare’ and inaugurating the legal services clinic would help the people of the college and the surrounding areas to get things done through lawful means.
Further, Judge of Gauhati High Court and Executive Chairman of Nagaland State Legal Service Authority, Justice Lanusungkum Jamir, stated that presently, there were 131 legal clinics functioning across the state and villages communities, schools, colleges and jails.
A total of 110 literary clubs were also open in various schools and colleges spread throughout the state and presently, there were 105 panel lawyers in the state level, High Court Legal Services Committee and the districts, while there were 188 para legal volunteers.
Jamir said that legal aid is not a programme of the judiciary alone but of one and all for the development of the society, adding that with the inauguration of the legal service clinic at Patkai Christian College, the number of legal aid service clinics increased to 132 in the state.
He stated that the para legal volunteers and lawyers were the backbone of this scheme and only through their vibrant service will the scheme derive the momentum to thrive. He further mentioned that the legal aid scheme across the state must seek the help of the local body institutions and also the district administration for creating legal awareness among the people.