NONGPOH, June 25: Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya, Justice Sanjib Banerjee, has appealed to all parents, teachers and community leaders to work in tandem against anti-social elements.
The chief justice was addressing a one-day mega camp-cum-awareness programme on NALSA scheme and government welfare schemes, which was organised at Patharkhmah Higher Secondary School, Ri-Bhoi, on Saturday.
In his address, Justice Banerjee informed how National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) aims to provide assistance to the needy with free services.
Informing that the Legal Services Authority has been set up to ensure equal rights and justice to people, the Chief Justice referred to the contributions of the NALSA during COVID-19-induced lockdown.
He said NALSA also had taken steps to look into the problems of victims as well as provide assistance to them, such as medical care, rehabilitation, et al.
Airing concern over the ever-increasing crimes against women, sexual offences on minors as well as drug menace, the Chief Justice appealed to all parents, teachers and community leaders to work together against anti-social elements plaguing one and all.
He also urged the gathering to approach the NALSA through Para-Legal Volunteers for any assistance, particularly on crimes against women or children, help needed by Persons with Disabilities, etc.
Justice W Diengdoh of High Court of Meghalaya, who was also part of the programme, spoke on the aims and objectives of NALSA.
Justice HS Thangkhiew, on the other hand, lauded the initiatives taken by various departments of government and said that events like this help bridge the gap between the people and government.
It may be mentioned that the programme was organised by the Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority in collaboration with District Legal Service Authority, Ri-Bhoi, and various government departments, and was attended by judicial magistrates, officers from various line departments, lawyers, doctors and nurses, village elders, schoolchildren, and residents of Patharkhmah and nearby villages.
During the programme, many stalls were set up by different line departments, while Meghalaya Police Cultural Troupe also performed on the occasion.
Wheelchairs, elbow crutches, walking sticks, teaching-learning materials, braille slates were also handed over to some attendees.
Cheques of Rs. 90,000 each were also given away to 15 recipients of the Scheme Silk Samagra-2, funded by the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles.
