Legal services clinic inaugurates in Sukhai village

DIMAPUR — The member secretary of Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), Victo Sema, on Friday inaugurated a legal services clinic (LSC) at Tizu Valley Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Network (TVBCLN) in Sukhai village under Zunheboto district.

Speaking at the inaugural programme, Sema informed that there are 134 legal services clinics across the state and the new clinic at TVBCLN will be the 135 such clinics. He informed that the purpose of setting up LSC in every nook and corner of the state was to make justice accessible to the people.

He called upon the people of Sukhai, Kivikhu and Ghukhuyi villages to utilise the services provided at the clinic and protect their legal rights.

V Tokugha, Akukatou and chairman of Sukhai village council, and Ivan Zhimomi, chairman of TVBCLN, delivered short speeches and expressed their gratitude to Zunheboto DLSA and NSLSA for the initiative to open the legal services clinic at TVBCLN which would not only benefit the people of Sukhai, Kivikhu and Ghukhuyi villages but also other surrounding villages.

During the legal awareness programme, Cheliam Khiamniungan, resource person and judicial magistrate first class and secretary of ZDLSA, spoke on legal aid and legal services. According to her, the main purpose of legal aid and services was to provide free and competent legal aid to ensure that services are reached and easily available to the grassroots.

She further highlighted that para-legal volunteer of LSCs act as bridge between the public and service providers.

Easter H Yepthomi, ZDLSA retainer lawyer, spoke on ‘Biodiversity Act 2002,’ wherein she highlighted the overview of the Act and emphasised on essential features, penalty and offences and important strategies for biodiversity conservation.

She further urged to declare ‘no plastic zone’ within TVBCLN.

Inolito K Sumi, ZDLSA penal lawyer, spoke on ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act’ (COTPA). She explained in brief the offences and penalties under COTPA and further encouraged to declare TVBCLN area as tobacco-free zone.