Online Training program for Police Officer

27th July 2020

Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) under the patronage of Hon’ble Mr.Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur and Patron-in-Chief of MASLSA and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Judge High Court of Manipur and Executive Chairman of MASLSA, an Online Training program for Nominated Police Officers of Manipur Police Department was organised successfully on 27th July, 2020 from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

The theme of the training was NALSA’s Early Access to Justice at Pre-Arrest, Arrest And Remand Stage. The training program was organized by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) in collaboration with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)and Manipur Police Training College (MPTC) and was participated by 55 Nodal Police Officers of Manipur Police Department.

The online training program was presided by Shri Ojesh Mutum, Additional Member Secretary, MASLSA; State Nodal Officer for the Early Access to Justice framework, Shri K. Jayentakumar Singh, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Zone I) of Manipur Police Department and Shri Thokchom Shangkar Deba, Additional Superintendent of Police, Manipur Police Training College (MPTC).

Ms. Devika Prasad, Programme Head, Police Reform Programme, CHRI, and Mr. Raja Bagga, Researcher, Police Reform Programme, CHRI, provided briefing and overview on “Legal Service Institutions and Legal Aid for Person in Custody and NALSA’s Early Access to Justice Framework and the role of the police which was followed by open house discussion on procedures relating to Questioning and Arrest, Obligation of the Police, the key issues and challenges for the police in implementing the NALSA’s framework and development of Standard Operating Procedure in line Manipur Police Department.

It is to be mentioned that early access to justice is crucial in protecting people at a time when they are most vulnerable. It ensures they are treated with respect and dealt with fairly, and strengthens the criminal justice institutions to be more responsive to the needs of citizens.

In 2019, the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) developed the Early Access Framework which laid down the mechanism to provide legal aid to suspects and arrestees summoned by the police for questioning and interrogation. The three key stakeholders in the framework are -legal aid lawyers, the police and paralegal volunteers.

For Effective Implementation of the Framework, MASLSA had earlier had a Consultative Meeting on 22nd November 2019 at Judges Lounge, High Court of Manipur in order to work out modalities for effective implementation of the said framework for the state of Manipur.

Representatives of the Director General of Police; Inspector General of Assam Rifle, Mantripukhri; Major General, Indian Army, Leimakhong; Inspector General, Central Reserve Police Force Langjing, Imphal , Manipur participated at the consultative meeting.

As a feedback from the meeting, Manipur Police Department has suggested nomination of Nodal Police Officers for each Police Station for effectively implentation of the framework. Accordingly MASLSA has requested the Director General of Police for nomination of Nodal Police Officers for each Police stations and accordingly 66 Nodal Police Officers for 66 Police Stations has been promptly nominated by Manipur Police Department.

Further, Manipur SLSA collaborated with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) to conduct trainings, workshops and for further finalizing of the framework as per Manipur’s context. Accordingly, trainings were conducted with Manipur legal aid lawyers and paralegals in June 2020.

The online training with the Nominated Police Officers that was held today is in the same vein. The inclusion of the framework in the syllabus/curriculum of Manipur Police Training College has also been initiated.

(S. Sadananda) MJS
Deputy Member Secretary
Manipur State Legal Services Authority
(ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex,
Imphal West - 795004)