ITANAGAR, May 29: The two days refresher course-cum-online training programme for Legal Aid Counsels (LACs) of various districts of the state concluded on Friday.
The Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) has organized the programme, particularly for those LACs who work closely with One Stop Centres, women helpline and prison authorities ‘due to rise in violence against women and children during the lockdown imposed in view of covid-19 pandemic.’
The Legal Aid Counsels from different districts- Papum Pare, Kra Daadi, East Siang, East Kameng, Lohit, Lower Dibang Valley, Anjaw, Lower Subansiri and Lepa Rada participated in the training. LAC’s from other districts had difficulty in participating due to poor internet connection in their areas.
On the first day of the training, APSLSA project consultant and advocate Marie Riba enlightened the participants on Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act, 2015 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. She also touched upon the mental trauma of victims of an offence in general and gave legal suggestions on how to handle such cases.
Advocate Jungam Jini highlighted the present statistics of domestic violence in the country and explained the role of lawyers in protecting the rights of a person.
On the second day, APSLSA collaborated with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative to train the LAC participants on ‘Access to justice and role of advocates as per NALSA’s regulations and schemes.’
The virtual training was organized from Itanagar’s APSLSA office, while APSLSA member secretary Jaweplu Chai inaugurated the online training from Lohit district. Chai also encouraged all participants to learn through new innovative forums despite of the geographical challenges and difficulty and disruption of internet connection due to cyclone Amphan.
Senior Research and Advocacy officer for Police Reforms Programme at CHRI Raja Bagga spoke on the need for early access to legal representation and legal aid for persons in custody and role of lawyers.
Senior Programme Officer for Prison Reforms Programmes at CHRI Amrita Paul enlightened the participants on NALSA (Legal Services Clinics) Regulations 2011& NALSA SOP on representation of persons in custody, 2016.
