Legal Awareness Programme at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa
- February 22nd, 2025 :: Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) -

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Inspection of Jail & Legal Awareness Programme conducted at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Manipur Central Jail, Imphal

The office of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) organized Legal Awareness Programmes on the theme “Rights of the Prisoners” at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Imphal.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice D. Krishnakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur & Patron-in-Chief, MASLSA accompanied by Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Bimol Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman, MASLSA; Hon’ble Mr. Justice A. Guneshwar Sharma, Judge, High Court of Manipur; Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu Kabui, Judge, High Court of Manipur graced both the programmes.

The Legal Aid Clinic (Extension) plaque at Manipur Central Jail, Imphal is also unveiled by Hon’ble Mr. Justice D. Krishnakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur & Patron-in-Chief, MASLSA and his companion Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Manipur.

The programme is attended by Shri Ojesh Mutum, Registrar General, High Court of Manipur; Shri Alek Muivah, Member Secretary, MASLSA; Smt. Bineshwori Maibam, Addl. Member Secretary, MASLSA; Smt. Rajshree Yambem, Deputy Member Secretary, MASLSA; Smt. Kh. Rojita Devei, OSD, MASLSA; Shri Sorokhaibam Sadananda, Secretary, Imphal East DLSA; Judicial Officers, Shri S. Devananda, Advocate & Media Co-ordinator, MASLSA, Officials of High Court of Manipur & MASLSA, Para Legal Volunteers of Jail Legal Aid Clinics & members of print & electronic media.

Inspection of Jail & Legal Awareness Programme conducted at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Manipur Central Jail, Imphal

Shri Alek Muivah, Member Secretary, MASLSA in his welcome speech stated that everyone makes a mistake in life and to make a mistake is not a shame. However, if the same mistake is repeated again, it is a disgrace. Prison is a place for correction & reformation. He encouraged the inmates to take this opportunity to correct & reform themselves so that they will not return back to prison once they are released.

One should not make plan to commit crimes as and when they are released but they should rather have a positive attitude to contemplate and plan for proper integration with the family & society. He also stressed on the importance of having hope and dreams and to never give up on their dreams.

He also mentions that office of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority has implemented “Legal Aid Defense Counsel System” scheme under which competent lawyers are appointed to provide free legal aid to accused persons. Any accused persons who are unable to engage their own counsel may avail the benefits of legal aid defense counsel provided by the office of MASLSA free of cost.

Hon’ble Mr. D. Krishnamukar, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur in his speech stated that Prisoners, whether convicted or under trial have every right to seek for legal aid. Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has passed several orders to the legal services authorities to take necessary measures to render legal services to the prisoners. The Constitution of India also protects the rights of the prisoners under Article 21, 22, 39A.

He also highlighted that Under Trial Review Committees (UTRC) are set up in every district which comprises of District Judge, District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, Secretary, DLSA and Jail Superintendent to address the issue of prolonged detention of undertrial prisoners and to ensure their timely release when eligible. He also mentioned that poor prisoners who cannot afford their surety or not able to pay fine may avail benefits under “Scheme for Support to Poor Prisoners”.

Here, financial assistance upto Rs. 40,000/- through the State/UT Governments will be provided to those poor prisoners who are not being released from jails due to nonpayment of fine imposed on them or have difficulty in securing bail due to financial constraints.

Inspection of Jail & Legal Awareness Programme conducted at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Manipur Central Jail, Imphal

He further appealed to the prisoners to approach the Legal Aid Clinic opened at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Manipur Central Jail, Imphal to avail free legal aid & services rendered by Manipur State Legal Services Authority.

Hon’ble the Chief Justice & his companion Judges also distributed kits to the inmates of both Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Imphal. Altogether, 500 prisoners for Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & 65 prisoners of Manipur Central Jail, Imphal including those detainees in Foreigner Detention Centres participated the programmes.

Smt. Dr. Laishram Rina, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal delivered a lecture on the topic “Rights of Prisoners” & “Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC)”. She highlighted the functions & mechanisms of UTRC and various categories under which under-trial prisoners are considered for release by UTRC. During the programme, interaction with the prisoners is also held and questions raised by the prisoners are responded by the Legal Experts including Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Manipur.

Hon’ble Mr. Justice D. Krishnakumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur and his companion Judges of the High Court of Manipur also inspected the rooms both at Manipur Central Jail, Sajiwa & Imphal and took cognizance at some of the delipidated conditions especially the toilets. He has instructed the Member Secretary to take stock of the conditions of the infrastructures and write to the concerned authorities.

A comical entertainment skid play is also performed by Nokphade Team at Manipur Central Jail, Imphal with the aim to entertain the prisoners & to help them relieve their stress. The programmes ended with vote of thanks from Smt. Bineshwori Maibam, Addl. Member Secretary, MASLSA.

(Alek Muivah)
Member Secretary
Manipur State Legal Services Authority
(ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex,
Lamphelpat, Imphal)