Kohima, July 16 (EMN): Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) has organised one-day training/workshop with the Dobashis (DB) and Gaonboras (GB) under Kohma district in the conference hall of District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), Kohima, on July 14.
Delivering an introductory to customary law, Victo Sema, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary KDLSA, apprised on the history of customary court and related acts. He urged the DBs and GBs to implement customary law in uniformity, rationality and certainty in tandem with the canon of law established in the regular court of the Indian justice system.
Joshua Sheqi, legal aid counsel and trainer NSLSA, while speaking on “The Village Act,” underlined that the power of the DBs and GBs are same and could work as “rural police.” He, however, said that DBs have the privilege of assisting the DC, EAC and SDO (Civil).
Speaking on best legal practices and procedures, Tongpang, legal aid counsel and trainer NSLSA, pointed out that the institution of DBs and GBs is unique and works as the backbone of administration. He has highlighted on the principle of natural justice and the difference in functioning of regular court as codified and customary court as convention.
Tongpang also suggested the DBs and GBs to deliberate and come up with written procedure on how customary court is conducted for civil and criminal case in order to maintain relevance of the customary court.
Altogether around 50 participants comprising of DBs, GB and panel lawyers attended the workshop.
In a related programme, Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA) organised a sensitisation programme on Child Friendly Legal Services (NALSA Scheme 2015) at District Planning Machinery Cell, Wokha, on July 14.
Speaking on the Child Friendly Legal Services (NALSA Scheme 2015), Ms Seyielunuo Mezhu, First Class Magistrate and Secretary WDLSA, apprised that the scheme ensure legal representation to the children on need of care and protection and children in conflict with law at all levels. She said that the scheme would strengthen legal services, institutional care, counselling and support services at the national, state, district and Taluk level.
The Secretary informed that under Section 4 of JJ Act, the State government has been authorised to constitute Juvenile Justice Board in every district, while Section 29 JJ Act allows the State government to form child welfare committees. She stated that JJ Act contemplates constitution of Special Juvenile Police Unit.
Short speech was delivered by Youth Director of Wokha Town Baptist Church, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Renbonthung Tsanglao, panel lawyer WDLSA.
