Legal clinic to safeguard rights of prisoners in Phek

DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14: TO protect the rights of prisoners and provide free legal assistance, a Legal Aid Clinic setup within the premises of the District Jail, Phek, was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner, Phek, Murohu Chotso, on August 13 in the presence of the Superintendent of Police, Deputy Superintendent of District Jail under the supervision of the Phek District Legal Services Authorities officials and panel lawyers.
Through the newly setup Jail-Legal Aid Clinic, the Phek District Legal Services Authorities will provide and assist the prisoners lodged in the District Jail and assist them with prompt and efficient legal aid within the jail itself to which they are entitled by virtue of the Sec 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Deputy Commissioner, Phek, Murohu Chotso, urged the jail inmates to avail the legal services and facilities provided through the newly setup Legal Aid Clinic.
There are various provisions of law that protect and secure the right of a prisoner, said Chotso and further encouraged the inmates to freely approach the panel lawyers, judges of the District Court, para legal volunteers on legal issues and grievances for seeking legal assistance and advice.
Civil judge (Jr.), Phek, and secretary of the Phek District Legal Services Authorities, Ajong Imchen, apprised the jail inmates with the “Rights of prisoners.”
The jail inmates were well informed about their rights and privileges. Free legal aid and assistance, protection against arbitrary or illegal detention in custody, protection against conviction or enhanced punishment under ex-past facto law, right to be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of his arrest, right to fair and speedy investigation and trial, right to appeal in case of conviction, right to be released on bail, if arrested, were some of the rights entitled to a prisoner highlighted by Imchen.
Longshi Ezung, District & Session Judge, Phek, and chairman of the Phek District Legal Services Authorities, spoke on the benefit and functioning of the Jail-Legal Aid Clinic. Ezung stated that there are many constitutional rights provided to a prisoner, yet the awareness on these rights has been very poor. He, therefore, said the Legal Services Authorities at district level would ensure and guide the prisoner (accused, Under Trail Prisoners and convicts) in availing free legal aid, counseling, advice and assistance.
Rokewelo Mero, Superintendent of Police, Phek, lauded the District Legal Services Authority for taking up the initiative of setting up Legal Aid Clinic within the jail premises for the first time in the district. Mero further stated that the Legal Aid Clinic is expected to provide the legal needs of the inmates.
Deputy Superintendent of Jail, Solezole Neikha, said the Legal Aid Clinic along with the support of the District Legal Services Authorities will protect the rights of a prisoner and resolve their complaint and grievances. He said the Legal Aid Clinic will not only extend legal service to the jail inmates but also the relatives and visitors.
Kudukhovi Chakesang, who is convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment lodged in the Phek District Jail was appointed as the para legal volunteer. He will man the Legal Aid Clinic and coordinate with the Jail officials to ascertain the legal service needs of the jail inmates. As a para legal volunteer, he should also intimate and inform the Jail authorities and District Legal Services Authorities about the grievances and legal needs of the jail inmates. Kudukhovi was selected as PLV for his good behavior while serving as a convict in the District Jail.
The programme commenced with the invocation by Sedivi Chuzo, Chaplin of Phek District Jail, and concluded with an interaction session chaired by Ajong Imchen.
The Legal Aid Clinic within the premises of the Jail is to cater to the legal needs and protect the rights of the under trail prisoners, convicts and accused in custody. The District Legal Services Authority would depute empanelled lawyers under the ‘Legal Aid Counsel Scheme’ and para legal volunteers under the ‘Para Legal Volunteer Scheme’ of National Legal Services Authority regularly for providing prompt legal assistance and spreading legal awareness to the masses free of cost.