Justice Sanjib Banerjee, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya and patron-in-chief of the MSLSA, inaugurated a ‘mega camp cum awareness programme’ on NALSA schemes and government welfare schemes on Saturday at Somonpara, West Garo Hills.
Justice HS Thangkhiew, Registrar General of the High Court E Kharumnuid, District and Session Judge AM Ripnar, judicial officers, paralegal volunteers, Nokmas, Sordars and residents of the area attended the programme. The theme for the camp was ‘Bridging the Gap’.
Moreover, as part of the celebration of 25 years of legal services in Meghalaya, the Chief Justice along with other dignitaries launched the Department of Justice-funded project ‘Increasing Access to Justice through Community Mediation’. This project is aimed at training headmen and village courts under the district council or Nokmas with special reference to mediation for understanding formal laws, basic distinction between civil and criminal matters, under CrPC and to impart legal knowledge to weaker sections of society. This endeavour, it is hoped, will preserve the culture and traditions of the indigenous people and also lessen instances of unnecessary litigation.
Justice Banerjee said that people live here in a pristine and green environment but the look on the faces of the people made him realise that promises have not been delivered even after 75 years of independence. Therefore, he urged the Legal Services Authority to serve the vulnerable section of the society including women, children and physically disabled persons so that they get the deserved rights and privileges.
Mentioning the importance of tribal rights, he said that these rights teach people to live in harmony with nature but there are certain practices that are not conducive to womenfolk and hence needs reconsideration, adding that there are many cases of sexual abuse, especially of girls and boys and he cautioned parents since these crimes are committed either by persons or relatives who have access to these young vulnerable children.
Another important aspect of highlight is to protect our youth from menace of drug abuse, he said and request everyone to protect their children from using drugs and also to respect and protect the environment by supporting only those development activities that are in sync with the environment.
Justice Thangkhiew said that legal service has changed and transformed society as years gone by and one of the most important aspects is bridging the gap of disparity in the society that sometimes prevent people from exercising their right. Mentioning the role of the Legal Services Authority, he said that free legal aid is prioritised to ensure that all have access to justice. Informing about the pilot project of community-based mediation being introduced in Ri-Bhoi and West Garo Hills, he said that the project aims to sensitise the headmen, village courts under district council or Nokmas on alternate dispute resolution (ADR) with special reference to mediation and to sensitise on local customs and usages, so as to enable them to resolve disputes at the grassroots level.
The Chief Justice flagged off a bike rally organised on the occasion and assistive devices were distributed by the dignitaries to disabled persons.
