Legal aid campaign goes to prison, Smit

SHILLONG: ‘Connecting to Serve’ campaign, organised by the East Khasi Hills District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) on Wednesday, focused on free legal services for jail inmates and role of para-legal volunteers in spreading awareness to the outskirts of the city.
The campaign was held at District Jail in Shillong and Smit village market.
At Shillong jail, prisoners were sensitised about their constitutional rights and free legal services which will benefit especially those who are unable to appoint a lawyer of their choice.
The programme, which was conducted on the jail premises in presence of E. Kharumnuid, chairman of DLSA, AM Pariat, secretary of DLSA and others.
Another programme at Smit dwelt on the NALSA (Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes), 2015.
Speakers stressed on the role of the para-legal volunteers and emphasised on the various schemes for poverty alleviation, the role of volunteers in assisting people to access the various schemes.
The resource persons were B. Khriam, former Member Secretary, DLSA, H. Thangkhiew, senior advocate in the High Court of Meghalaya, and L. Kynjing, BDO of Mawryngkneng C&RD block, among others.
There was an active participation from the public and questions were raised during the sessions which were answered by the resource persons.