APSLSA launches special drive to provide legal aid services to citizens

ITANAGAR, Sep 18: The Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) and the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the aegis of National Legal Services Authority undertook a special outreach cum awareness drive to provide legal aid services to the common citizens of Arunachal Pradesh, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Govt of India.

This special drive was launched in keeping with the ongoing festivities of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ launched by the Govt of India to commemorate the nation’s 75th year of Independence.

The mobile units consisting of legal aid counsels, paralegal volunteers and other staff members of West Kameng, West Siang, Upper Subansiri, Leparada, Lower Subansiri, Upper Siang, Papum Pare, Lohit, East Kameng, Tirap, East Siang, Tawang and Lower Dibang Valley DLSAs conducted the legal awareness cum assistance programmes/ camps at different locations covering POCSO Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, victim compensation, availability of free legal aid, Right to Education, etc. More than 100 citizens from different parts of the State were provided legal aid and counselling, while in total 1269 people have participated in the programme.

The APSLSA mobile team held three camps for the children in different educational institutions and children homes namely, Sarah Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Itanagar, Mother Toniak Primary School located at G-Extension, Naharlagun and the Missionaries of Charity, Naharlagun to spread awareness on POCSO Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and various other legal entitlements and schemes related to protection of children.

During the programme, lessons on “Good Touch - Bad Touch”, physical abuse, child helpline, etc, animated videos and verbal interactions were done. A separate session was also held for the staff members of these institutions to apprise them on issues related to domestic violence, marriage registration, sexual harassment at workplace and free legal aid.

Team leader of the APSLSA mobile unit, advocate Nani Modi said these kind of mobile campaigns are a good opportunity for us to reach out to those sections of the community that aren’t aware of the NALSA scheme and its provision of free and equitable access to justice for all.