[caption id="attachment_209724" align="aligncenter" width="565"]
Michael Zothankhuma, judge at Gauhati High Court, inaugurates the legal services camp in Tuensang.[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 30 (EMN): A judge of the Gauhati High Courts has reminded the judiciary and its members that the legal system is meant to promote justice based on equality opportunity.
Michael Zothankhuma, judge of the Gauhati High Court, addressed the inaugural program of the ‘mega legal services camp’ in Tuensang on Sep. 29. The event was organized by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) and Tuensang District Legal Services Authority (TDLSA) with government departments, stakeholders and community agencies, the organisers informed.
The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority in Kohima issued a press release that was received here on Sunday.
In his address to the event after he inaugurated the camp, Justice Michael Zothankhuma said that the objective of the legal services authority was to secure legal rights of the poor, the downtrodden and the weaker sections of the society. He was quoted in the press release as having said that the legal services authority also ensures that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity. Now the objectives have expanded from awareness to empowerment,’ the press release read.
Zothankhuma was of the opinion that ‘the focus’ was to ensure that the government schemes, policies and the law reach the doorsteps of the people as intended by the government.
“He pointed out that as the objective of the camp is to create opportunities for the poor and downtrodden, the government and stakeholders should try to understand and empathize with the poor and needy. He said that the media also has a responsibility in creating awareness and educating the masses,” the updates stated of his speech.
The high court judge also emphasised on the importance of giving more publicity to central-government sponsored schemes.
The deputy commissioner of Tuensang district L Jamithung Lotha also gave a short speech during the program. He said the primary role of the government department is to give service to the public and ensure the benefits of the welfare schemes reach the citizens.
Pointing out that the Indian government has various schemes for the benefit and development of the poor, the deputy commissioner encouraged all the departments that had set up stalls at the legal services camp to create publicity about the various welfare schemes that citizens can benift from. Lotha urged the beneficiaries to avail the various welfare schemes during the event in the town too.
Delivering the keynote address during the event was Mezivolu T Therieh, member secretary, said that legal service camp have been conducted in Longleng, Peren, Phek, Mokokchung and Mon. She informed that ‘mini camps’ with the Labour department was conducted at Noklak and Shamator on September 27 and the 28 for construction workers.
Therieh assured that the Tuensang district legal services authority was there to provide all assistance ‘even after the camp is over through the front office at district court complex with the assistance of the panel lawyers and the paralegal volunteers,’ the updates informed.
About 5,440 people visited the day long camp where more than 40 stalls were set up by government departments, stakeholders and nongovernmental organisations, the organisers informed.
The High Court judge also inaugurated legal literacy clubs for Eklavya Model Residential School and the 3rd NAP High School at Tuensang town on September 28.