KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 22: With so many changes happening and many laws being enacted in line with the change of time, MLA & Chairman NSMDC Ltd, Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu, observed that Article 371 (A), a special provision granted to the state of Nagaland, is confusing the Naga populace especially those in rural areas.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) 7th biennial general conference held on the theme ‘Excelsior’ (ever upward) at Jubilee Memorial Centre (KABA), Lerie Colony, Kohima, on September 22.
He said it is the duty of the legal practitioners to make people understand and aware of the distinction between the customary law and constitutional privileges as enshrined in the Article 371 (A).
Also referring to the RTI Act, 2005, Keditsu stated that though the Act is serving and fulfilling its purpose in many areas, he, however, observed that it is being abused by many for their selfish gain. He, therefore, asserted that RTI Act should be applied solely for which the citizens are granted the right to secure access to information in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority and not for selfish motives and purposes.
Advising the law students, Keditsu said they should not abuse, mislead or take advantage of the trust and blind faith entrusted upon them, but continue to uphold the challenge to deliver justice to the people (clients).
While pointing out that though lawyers are being exempted from service tax, he said that doesn’t mean that legal practitioners should charge exorbitant fees. Keditsu also maintained that being a legal practitioner doesn’t mean they are above the law and hence urged them to always stand by the truth and be fair and just in their dealings.The students were also encouraged to be ‘ambitious and dream big’ but with practical strategies, and be ‘nodal lawyers’ to the people of the state.
Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Rovilato Mor, has appreciated the growing professionalism in different areas and said there are a good numbers of trained and professionals in medical, engineering, veterinary and animal husbandry, agriculture & allied in recent years.
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DC Kohima, Rovilato Mor Keditsu speaking during the NLSF 7th biennial conference at Kohima on September 22.[/caption]
However, he also reminded the gathering of the limited opportunities in government sector and said they should be prepared to practise the acquired expertise and knowledge in their respective private self entrepreneurship lest he said they will be wasting human resources and economy.
While stating that legal practitioners are required to put public interest on priority as its basic principle, Mor said the society looks upon the legal practitioners to making a change in the society ‘where law prevails and essence of justice and equity is protected and upheld’.
Lanusowa Pongen, in his presidential, said for the last 18 years, the Federation has been working tirelessly on priority basis and delivered services to the people despite of many hurdles along the journey. Some of its conquests, he said were demand for Government Law College, separate high court in the State, demand for setting up of law department and policy for high education in Nagaland University, change of syllabus and examination pattern, to declare result and conduct exam on time, demand for proper library facilities in all the colleges besides others, where some are on the verge of achievement.
In this regard, he urged upon all law students to come together and live for a cause as an ‘agent of change’ for a positive impact in the society.
The introductory session was held on September 21 with Registrar of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima, as the introductory guest. A debate on the topic ‘Article 371 A is a boon to Naga society’ and seminar on the topic ‘Independent judiciary in a democratic State’ was held with Chief Judicial Magistrate/ Senior Civil judge, Kohima, Mezivolu T Therieh, as the resource person.
