PASIGHAT, Aug 12: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Siang, under the aegis of the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA), in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Arunachal Pradesh University conducted a legal awareness programme at the APU premises here to mark the International Youth Day 2026 celebration.
Held on the theme ‘Empowered Youth, Stronger India’, the programme was attended by faculty members, research scholars and postgraduate students of the University.
Bido Sora, Secretary DLSA East Siang, spoke on ‘Legal Empowerment and Constitutional Citizenship: Rights, Responsibilities and Access to Justice’, explaining the legal services framework under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the role and functions of LSAs and the availability of free legal aid. He also spoke on the basic legal rights of citizens relating to FIR, arrest, detention, bail, fair trial and access to legal assistance.
Speaking on youth empowerment, he emphasized responsible exercise of rights, digital citizenship, artificial intelligence and academic integrity. Referring to the recent clarification by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, concerning remarks made in the context of alleged fake, false or unrecognised law degrees, he highlighted the larger issue of integrity and credibility in academic and professional life.
He also stressed the need to understand statements in their proper context in an age where short clips and incomplete information can spread rapidly through social media.
Denzing Sonowal, resource person, spoke on ‘Right to Expression, Defamation and the POCSO Act in the Social Media Age’. He sensitized the participants on the responsible exercise of freedom of expression, the legal consequences of defamatory content and the need for particular caution while dealing with children and child-related content on social media.
Sunny Tayeng, resource person, spoke on ‘Law, Dignity and Safety in Educational Institutions: Ragging, Harassment and Gender Sensitisation’, highlighting the importance of dignity, safety, mutual respect and responsible conduct within educational institutions.
The technical sessions were followed by an interactive session during which the participants raised queries and discussed various legal issues with the resource persons.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on the need for young people to remain legally informed, exercise their rights responsibly and use their education and knowledge for the larger good of society. (DIPRO)