UTCOM draws MSLSA's attention
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 26 2018: President of United Tribal Civil Organisations Manipur (UTCOM) Dr Gairiangmei M has drawn the attention of the Executive Chairman of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority on issues regarding legal awareness campaign/programmes in the hill districts.

UTCOM in its letter to the MSLSA underlined the need and importance of holding legal awareness programmes 'consistently' in the hill districts, especially in the far-flung villages.

People in the hill districts have little to no awareness of their rights and laws, said the letter drawing attention of the MSLSA to hold legal sensitization programmes in the hilly areas more consistently.

UTCOM in its letter highlighted many issues faced while organisation legal awareness programmes.

It takes months to organise a single programme due to 'insensitivity of the District Legal Services Authority'.

Only a few programmes could be organised in a year, said the letter.

And above the programmes, legal services are available at their (valley people) and have more access to media including TVs.

On the other hand, hill people have little to no access to such facilities, UTCOM told MSLSA in its letter.

On funds and money sanctioned to the organising committee for organising legal awareness programmes in the hill districts, UTCOM in its letter said: "Processing fees/transportation charges and time and energy consumed are much higher in hill areas than in valley.

Some far-flung hill villages, for example Chingjaroi, Khamason, Jessami in Ukhrul, Moreh in Tengnoupal, Pherzawl areas in Churachandpur, Purul in Senapati, Tousem and Tamei in Tamenglong, takes 5-7 hours to reach" .

Organising committee need to send advance team for preparation (legal awareness programme).

Meals are also needed to be arranged.

In this factual situation, small amount of money from Legal Services cannot manage the programme in grand manner, asserted the letter.

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