PLVs trained to bridge gap between people and legal institutions

Dimapur, August 4: A one-day training programme for the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) was conducted in the District Legal Services Authority Office, Longleng under the supervision of Longleng District Legal Services Authority.
On the first session, the PLVs were imparted basic lessons and skills on the topic Right to Information Act (RTI) and Motor Accidents and Claim Tribunal by resource person, Abraham, Assistant Public Prosecutor, Longleng.
Mane Phom, Panel Lawyer, Longleng DLSA gave a lecture on Domestics Violence Act and Nagaland Victim Compensation Scheme 2012 covering important information on provisions of the Act and benefits of the Compensation Scheme.
Later, T.Thiba Phom, Panel Lawyer, Longleng DLSA presented the seven new schemes of National Legal Services Authority 2015. Thiba highlighted on various aspects of the schemes and the roles and areas on which Para Legal Volunteers can work to bring out effective Legal Service to the society on various issues such as the victims of trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation, Workers in the Unorganized Sector, Children and their Protection, Mentally ill and Mentally Disabled Persons, Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes, Protection and Enforcement of Tribal Rights, Victims of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug Menace.Victo Sema, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary of Longleng District Legal Services Authority shared on roles and responsibilities of a Para Legal Volunteer. A PLV is expected to act as intermediaries who will bridge the gap between the common people and the legal service institutions. The purpose of such training is to equip the PLVs with the right skills and knowledge to render free and competent legal services to the masses. With the basic lessons in law, legislation and other welfare program and government schemes, a Para Legal Volunteers should be able to assist people in their village and community who are in need of such assistance. A para legal volunteer is also supposed to create awareness on the legal rights and guide the common people in understanding their legitimate rights.
Later, in the practical session, the PLVs were engaged in drafting of RTI and FIR application to provide them with adequate practice in dealing with real world situation in assisting the beneficiaries, seeking assistance in FIR and RTI matter. Mock drill on recording and reporting under various scenarios on Domestic Violence, Filing of applications to claim compensations for eligible victims under Nagaland Victim Compensation Scheme 2012, were carried out. Maintenance of PLV dairy and Drafting of Affidavits were also practiced.
The training was imparted at District level as per National Legal Services Authority Module for the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) deployed under Longleng District. The training is conducted in the form of Orientation-induction-Refresher Courses and aims at imparting basic legal training to selected volunteers from different walks of life. This is expected to ensure the delivery of legal aid and services to all sections of people at village and community level so that ultimately, the role of a Para Legal Volunteer will remove the barriers and thereby promote the principle “access to justice for all”.