Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench Ajongba Imchen, NJS on Friday said that when one seeks to identify people in need, the Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) will become the most powerful persons in districts.

Imchen said this while delivering the keynote address during the one-day State Level Induction Training program for Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) organised by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in Kohima, a press release from NSLSA informed.

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The Registrar said that although not all PLVs have a law degree, he asserted that it was imperative for them to know the basic procedures, act and articles of the Indian Constitution to empower marginalised of their rights and entitlements. Without having basic knowledge of law, it was not possible for PLV to represent the needs of the marginalised in their respective jurisdiction in the right way, Imchen pointed out.

He said that PLVs were persons not under the any government however, under the executive chairman of the legal services who is a judge of a high court.

When one seeks to identify people in need, then the PLVs will become the most powerful persons in districts, he said.

Ajongba Imchen, NJS, Registrar, Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench

According to NSLSA, Imchen also regretted that even today, it takes very long time to implement Acts in the parliament.

For instance, he said Lok Pal, an anti-corruption act now named Lok Ayukta was introduced in 1968 but took almost half century to be implemented in 2013; which however was not passed naturally due to persistent pressure from activists.

Similarly, Legal services was also started only in Nagaland 2013. The Legal services schemes was introduced in 1971 but came to existence only in 1987 and became functional only in 1998 which was over 2 decades gap, Imchen said. It has become our responsibility to build the nation and at the same time bring change into our state, he added.

Speaking of corruption in the state, the registrar said everyone talks about it, but nobody does anything. He said there were people actively involved in filing RTIs, but results were not seen.

“Many RTI activities appears to be selling out” Imchen underscored while adding that RTIs will not see results if there was no determination that it will not be purchased.

He therefore reminded them that if the Para Legal Volunteers will engage in such activities, it will become null. Imchen therefore asked them to give input to the government, else it will become a toothless tiger.

“Your faithfulness should be known to your neighbourhood,” the registrar said adding that the volunteering is not a charity work, but a fundamental duty of the para legal volunteer for the benefit and protection of the rights of the people in their respective area.

He said that Naga people should be ashamed of the way we are living a superficial life. In this regard, Imchen cited an example where the construction of District Jail in Nagaland took 11 years. In 2021, PIL was initiated by the Legal Services authority. However, it came with hurdles as no local was ready was ready to come forward and file the PIL.

Imchen however lamented that during its inauguration, which happened in 4 weeks after a court order, there were only praises and appreciation.

The speaker, in this regard iterated that Nagaland today need persons in our society who cannot be purchased by money which has become very rare.

“Our job is not to give rice or sugar to others but enable and empower people to know their rights to access their rights,” he later added.

NSLSA Member Secretary Victo Sema, NJS while delivering the welcome address spoke on the need to understand the system of the legal services system.

He said the primary objective is to provide provide free legal services to the people as enshrined in the Article 39 (A) of the Indian Constitution. Sema added it was realising the aspect that access to justice was one of basic human rights. The member secretary asked the PLVs to go back and work effectively in their districts.

During the first session, Sunjib Rana, Retainer Lawyer, Kohima DLSA dwelled on concept of para legal volunteers and maintenance of PLVs Activity registrar. State Panel Lawyer, NSLSA Kezhosano Kikhi spoke on Fundamentals of Crime and Law. Role, Duties and Responsibilities of Para Legal Volunteers was presented by Apila Sangtam, Panel Lawyer, Kohima DLSA.

In the second session, State Panel Lawyer, Cherry Ovung spoke on Victim Compensation Scheme. National Best PLV awardee, NK Kenny and PLVs from Dimapur and Noklak PLV also shared their experiences.

Interactive sessions were also held during the training programme.

The induction training was attended by more than 60 Para Legal Volunteers under 11 District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) across the state.