District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across Nagaland observed National Legal Services Day on November 9, 2026, with legal awareness programmes, outreach activities and public sensitisation initiatives aimed at promoting access to justice and informing people about the availability of free legal services.
Longleng:
The Longleng District Legal Services Authority (LDLSA), under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), observed the day at Hill Top Pre-school, Noklangkong, Longleng.
The programme was chaired by Para Legal Volunteer (PLV) L. Yingloi, while Ching-e, PLV, delivered a presentation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Right to Education. He also highlighted the roles of Retainer Lawyer K. Bongyei Phom and Para Legal Volunteers in providing legal assistance and creating awareness.
Yingli also attended the programme. The team distributed pamphlets among students and sensitised them on the roles and functions of Legal Services Authorities.
Kohima:
The Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA), in collaboration with the Nagaland Law Students’ Federation (NLSF) and the Women’s Forum of St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous), Jakhama, commemorated National Legal Services Day at the college under the theme, “Importance of Women in Litigation, For a Safer Nagaland.”
The programme featured three sessions focusing on women’s access to justice, the role of Legal Services Authorities and cybercrime awareness.
In the first session, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson of KDLSA, Mezivolu T. Therieh, spoke on “Empowering Women Through Access to Justice.” Referring to Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution, she highlighted the guarantees of equality, non-discrimination and personal liberty.
She stressed that women’s empowerment required collective participation and reiterated that “Equality is a right, not a favour.” She also urged students to speak up against discrimination, harassment and abuse and respect the dignity and rights of others.
Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary of KDLSA, Cheliam Khiamniungan, delivered the second session on “Role, Functions and Services of the Legal Services Authorities.” Referring to the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, she explained the provision of free legal services to eligible persons under Section 12, including women, children, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged communities.
She also highlighted initiatives such as Lok Adalats, legal awareness programmes, Legal Literacy Clubs, front office services and Legal Aid Defence Counsel.
The third session on “Addressing the Rise of Cyber Crimes” was delivered by Nancy Lotha, Advocate, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench. She highlighted cybercrimes such as phishing, online fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying, sextortion, blackmail and the misuse of AI-generated images and deepfakes.
Referring to relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, she explained the legal remedies available to victims and advised participants to preserve evidence, secure their accounts and report cyber offences to the authorities.
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Asenla Walling, Panel Lawyer, KDLSA, highlighted the significance of the NALSA and Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) theme songs, which were played during the programme.
The programme was chaired by Mercy Kehie, Women Coordinator, NLSF. Neivisielie Rino, Advocate and President of NLSF, delivered the welcome address, while Khriebuno Nagi, Assistant Professor and Director of the Women’s Forum, delivered the special address. The vote of thanks was proposed by Vituo Rupreo, Advocate and Vice President of NLSF, followed by a benediction by Anati T. Zhimo, General Secretary of the Women’s Forum.
Around 380 participants, including students, teachers, NLSF members, judicial officers and panel lawyers, attended the programme.
Separately, KDLSA conducted a radio talk in Nagamese and English to create awareness about legal services and access to justice.
During the programme, Panel Lawyer Berta Tep highlighted the significance of National Legal Services Day, observed annually on November 9 to commemorate the establishment of NALSA in 1995.
She explained the importance of providing free and competent legal aid to eligible and disadvantaged sections of society, including women, children, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and economically weaker sections.
She also highlighted the role of Legal Services Authorities in promoting equal access to justice through legal awareness programmes, free legal assistance and dispute resolution through Lok Adalats. Emphasising that financial constraints should not prevent anyone from seeking justice, she encouraged listeners to approach their nearest Legal Services Authority or Legal Aid Clinic for free legal assistance and guidance.
Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland:
The Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA) conducted a weeklong observance of National Legal Services Day from November 4 to 9 through a series of legal awareness programmes across Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts.
As part of the campaign, panel lawyers distributed flyers and pamphlets among street vendors and pedestrians in busy streets and market areas, highlighting the roles and functions of Legal Services Authorities, particularly the availability of free legal services for marginalised and weaker sections of society.
On November 5, a legal awareness programme was organised at Sarbura Government School, where Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary of DDLSA, Julian Sitlhou, spoke on the POCSO Act, including good touch and bad touch. She also sensitised senior students and teachers on identifying signs of distress among children and the importance of providing timely assistance.
Panel Lawyer Moatila Ao briefed the students on the functioning of Legal Literacy Clubs.
The campaign continued on November 6 and 7 with a two-day door-to-door outreach programme by DDLSA panel lawyers, who distributed pamphlets and highlighted the free legal services available through the DLSA across Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima.
On November 8, panel lawyers conducted awareness sessions on various legal topics at selected churches in Dimapur and Chümoukedima. Nishela Assumi spoke at Nagamese Baptist Church, while Moatila Ao, Nito Yepthomi and Kavitoli Shohe attended the Child Ministry service at Valley View Sumi Church as resource persons. Elito also interacted with the youth of Padumpukhuri Sumi Baptist Church.
The weeklong observance culminated on November 9 with a legal awareness programme at Government Higher Secondary School, Burma Camp, attended by more than 800 students.
Sitlhou spoke on the POCSO Act and also gave a brief presentation on the Juvenile Justice Act. The programme was chaired by Panel Lawyer Lothungbeni.
Phek:
The Phek District Legal Services Authority (PDLSA) observed National Legal Services Day through a weeklong programme at Phek Basa village, with around 15 participants attending the awareness session.
Advocate Khotsozo Venuh chaired the programme, while Retainer Lawyer of PDLSA, Sekhotso Rokha, spoke on the Victim of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Scheme, 2015.
He highlighted the harmful consequences of human trafficking and sensitised participants on issues and cases related to trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Observing that technological advancement had made people, particularly young people, vulnerable to social evils, he urged the gathering to remain vigilant and seek timely assistance from the District Legal Services Authority whenever necessary.
Panel Lawyer Thukutalu Chizo spoke on two NALSA schemes.
Explaining the NALSA (Legal Services to Senior Citizens) Scheme, 2016, she said it aimed to provide accessible, free and comprehensive legal support to individuals aged 60 and above, ensuring that senior citizens did not face social, economic or legal isolation.
Referring to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, she highlighted the obligations of children and relatives to maintain parents and senior citizens and enable them to lead lives with dignity.
She also spoke on the NALSA Scheme for Holistic Inclusion, Knowledge and Schooling through Help and Access (SHIKSHA), 2026. Chizo stated that free and compulsory education was a fundamental right for children aged six to 14 years under Article 21A of the Constitution.
She explained that the scheme sought to bridge the gap between legal rights and educational access by strengthening the implementation of Section 12(1)(c) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
She also outlined the assistance available through Legal Services Authorities, including active legal aid, documentation support and redressal through dispute resolution mechanisms in cases where applicants faced rejection or hurdles from authorities.
The programmes across the districts highlighted the role of Legal Services Authorities in making legal assistance accessible, particularly to vulnerable sections of society, while encouraging citizens to seek timely guidance and exercise their rights.
