Legal Conference Gets Under Way in Umiam, Ri Bhoi District

A Reporter

SHILLONG: Justice HS Thangkhiew, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya and Executive Chairman, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA), inaugurated the two-day “Regional Consultation of Member Secretaries SLSAs and Secretaries DLSAs of North Eastern States” at North Eastern Police Academy (NEPA), Umiam, Ri Bhoi district on Thursday.

In his inaugural address, Justice Thangkhiew said that the consultation programme provide a platform for the members of the legal services authorities of the region to introspect, deliberate, exchange ideas, understand the peculiar problems of the region and therefore urged the participants to focus on strategies to make legal services stronger and effective.

Stating that the legal services authorities play an important role to work for the deprived section of society in providing legal assistance, Justice Thangkhiew said that this is pertinent since in the Northeastern region, sensitization and knowledge about law are minimal.

The resource persons for the programme include Alok Agarwal, member secretary, NALSA, Sunil Chauhan, director, NALSA and member secretaries of northeastern States.

The points of discussion in the first day of consultation programme were – new amendments in regulations, early access to justice, quality of legal services, empanelment of competent lawyers, capacity building, monitoring and mentoring committees, socio-economic and legal issues which require strategic interventions, documentation of success stories, legal services in prisons, ensuring legal aid to all unrepresented UTPs, administration and functioning of jail clinics and effective coordination with prisons authorities.

The programme was organized by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority.

Also Read: Experts Point Out potential of Cage Culture in Umiam Reservoir in Meghalaya

Also Watch: Pollution Testing Unit allegedly overcharging then fixed amount in Guwahati