ITANAGAR, Apr 7: In a bid to ensure that every prisoner is provided timely free legal aid as mandated under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)’s Free and Competent Legal Services schemes and regulations, Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) Member Secretary Jaweplu Chai along with District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, Lohit District Legal Services Authority Yomge Ado inspected the District Jail at Tezu recently.
During the visit, a meeting was held with the jail authority and DLSA in the jail premises to discuss issues regarding providing timely free legal assistance to the under trial prisoners (UTPs) and convicts, besides highlighting various provisions under which prisoners can be effectively represented in the courts and to make them aware of their rights and availability of legal aid.
The APSLSA Member Secretary also interacted with the inmates of the jail comprising 23 UTPs and 35 convicts (with three of them lodged in the jail for more than 14 years) and apprised them about their rights to avail free legal aid from the Legal Services Institutions. She also interacted with the Dy Superintendent of the Jail and other subordinate staff.
Legal awareness camp
Meanwhile, the APSLSA in collaboration with Hiri Moro Women Welfare Society and Mopin Festival Celebration Committee organized a legal awareness camp on the occasion of Mopin festival on April 5 & 6 at Galo Heritage Centre, Yupia.
During the two-day camp, the festival revellers were provided free legal counselling and information regarding the availability of free legal services, various government schemes and benefits available to the public of Arunachal Pradesh.
As a part of awareness, brochures on Arunachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Scheme, Para Legal Volunteers Scheme, Legal Aid Clinic, Lok Adalat, women’s right to protect from domestic violence, child rights and marriage registration, Motor Vehicles Act, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, and various Central Govt schemes were distributed to the visitors. Around 200 people visited the stall and benefited from it.