National Legal Services Day observed across state
A step towards delivering justice and safeguarding people's rights: CJ
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 10 2022: Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) observed Legal Services Day cum commendation ceremony at the conference hall of ADR Building, Lamphelpat, here, on Wednesday.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, Manipur High Court Chief Justice PV Sanjay Kumar recounted that the Legal Services Act was passed by the parliament in 1987 and received assent of the President in October of the same year.

It came into force on November 9, 1995 .

Observing that majority of the people are unaware of their constitutional rights due to financial, social and other constraints, the Chief Justice said that NALSA was set up under the Act to inform and provide the masses with legal services, including conduct of various awareness programmes.

In his speech as the guest of honour, Justice Kh Nobin said that under the aegis of NALSA, MASLSA has been organising various legal awareness programmes over the last decade, thus, benefiting many citizens.

However, in addition to spreading awareness, there is the need to education the people on their legal rights, he asserted.

According to Justice Ah-anthem Bimol, who is also chairman of High Court Legal Services Committee, the main objective of the Legal Services Day observance is to lower the number of pending cases through out of court settlement, delivering justice to all concerned and providing free legal aid to those in need.

As part of the observance, advocates, District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) staff and PLVs, who took important roles in providing awareness to the masses, were honoured with certificates and mementos.

DLSA, Imphal West also observed the day at the conference hall of Cheirap Court Complex, here, on Wednesday with District and Sessions Judge A Guneshwar Sharma and CJM Jangkholen Haokip presiding over the session.

In his speech, District and Sessions Judge Guneshwar Sharma explained about the importance of observing National Legal Services Day.

Later, GJM Jangkholen Haokip feted the PLVs and panel advocates of DLSA Imphal West.

Meanwhile, on the second day of the 4-day- door-to-door campaign on Empowering Citizens Through Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign' and observance of National Legal Services Day, a utility van of MASLSA was flagged off by SDO Patsoi Samson Huidrom from his office on Wednesday.

The flagging-off ceremony was attended by staff of SDO Patsoi, DLSA Imphal West members and law students, who will be using the van to spread legal awareness to every household.

On the other hand, DLSA, Imphal East observed Empowering Citizens Through Legal Awareness and Outreach Campaign' door-to-door campaign and observance of National Legal Services Day, at the conference hall of ADR Building, Lamphelpat, here, on Wednesday.

The observance was attended by MAST/Revenue/Co-Opt Tribunal Manipur Ningthoujam Lanleima, Civil Judge Senior Division Imphal East K Nerojit and DLSA Imphal East secretary Arshad Saeed Shah.

Many retainer lawyers, panel lawyers, remand lawyers and PLVs were honoured with simple gifts during the occasion.

DLSA Thoubal also observed National Legal Services Day at the conference hall of Thoubal District Court Complex.

The observance was attended by DLSA Thoubal chairperson Binny Ngangom, secretary Masana Panmei, JMFC Nemkholam Lhungdim and Thoubal District Bar Association president Khagembam Arunkumar as presidium members.

As part of the observance, the best panel lawyer award for Thoubal and Kakching districts was presented to advocate Kh Lembisana Meidingu and Best Para-Legal Volunteer Award to Wahengbam Jiban.

Meanwhile, as part of the 'Haq Hamara Bhi Toh Hai @75 Campaign', a one-day micro-legal awareness programme was organised at ABCEDO Observation Home, Samaram on Wednesday.

Chandel District Legal Services Authority also observed the "National Legal Services Day" at Chandel district Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Complex on Wednesday.

The programme chaired by DLSA, Chandel secretary Kimneingah Kipgen was attended by its functionaries and staffers of the CJM Court, Chandel.

Certificates and mementos were handed over to the best panel lawyer and best para legal volunteer of the district and certificates of appreciation to the other functionaries as part of the programme.

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