Shillong, Nov. 9 : As part of the Nationwide Outreach Campaign Connect To Serve organized by the Legal Services Authority which is scheduled from 9th November to 18th November, 2017, a Bike and Motor Rally was flagged off on Thursday  morning at Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Tura.

District Session Judge cum Chairman DSLA, A M Ripnar, Chief Judicial Magistrate cum Secretary, I Rymbui, Judicial Magistrates First Class D M K S Shadap, I R Sangma, T T M Sangma, B M Sangma, staff of District Session Judge, Tura, staff of District Legal Services Authority, Tura, Bikers (Royal Enfield) Association, D Baruah, Principal, Tura Law College and Legal Aid Counsel,, Para Legal Volunteers, Tura amongst others were present at the function.

The aim of organizing this programme is to sensitise the rural people about the availability of free legal aid and services being provided by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in West and South West Garo Hills districts.
The route for the Bike Rally started from Tura Deputy Commissioner’s Office via Damalgre, Okkapara, Hajongpara, Rangsakona, Garobhada,Mukdangra, Damalgre and back to Tura.

It may be mentioned that Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 was enacted to achieve the objective of equal justice and free legal aid as enshrined in Article 39 (A) of the Constitution of India. Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 came into force on 9th November, 1995 and hence, 9thNovember is observed as Legal Services Day. Therefore, a campaign has been organized in order to spread awareness about various functions and activities of Legal Services Authority and availability of free legal services especially to the weaker and marginalized sections of the society as well as to identify people in need of legal assistance but have not taken recourse to justice delivery system on account of economic or other disability.

DLSA, Tura will be organizing various other activities like organizing awareness programs on legal aid matters, organize street play at public places, set up temporary legal aid camps, set up legal assistance desk, conduct door to door campaign, distribute pamphlets to the general public.

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat also observed 10 Day Nationwide Campaign “Connect To Serve”, “Access of Justice to All” with a bike rally from PWD (IB) Mawkyrwat, passing through nearby villages and market areas. There was a huge turnout of around 30 bikers.

The rally was flagged off by Shri D.Dann District Sports Officer, Mawkyrwat. An awareness programme was conducted at the office of the Block Development Officer Mawkyrwat C& RD Block. The programme under the chairmanship of Shri. A.Nongbri, MCS, BDO Mawkyrwat C& RD Block was attended by local NGO’s, Para Legal Volunteers and others. Smti.D.Kharshiing, MCS, EAC spoke on the role of Para Legal Volunteer in the villages and their responsibilities under the DLSA. She stated that PLVs link the common man to the Government. Inspector C. Shadap, Officer In Charge Mawkyrwat Police Station spoke on the role of the Police Department in deliverance of justice. Kum. I. L.Mawphlang (Advocate, PP) spoke on the Fundamental Rights under the Constitution, IPC, CrPC & free Legal Aid. Kum. L. Warjri (APP) spoke on Women’s Rights. Kum. N. Hahshah (APP) spoke on child rights, Child Labour, Child Marriage and POCSO. The Programme ended with the vote of thanks from Shri. D.Dann, District Sport Officer, Mawkyrwat.

Other programmes to be conducted till the 18^th November, 2017 include door to door campaign by Para Legal Volunteers, awareness campaign and street play. Further, an assistance helpdesk has been set up at DC Office, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, to assist in Legal Aid matters. (MIPR)