Strong judiciary will attract investment in Nagaland: NLSA

NLSA member secretary Nino Iralu told Nagaland Post that a strong judiciary could “protect the asset of the state” in case of national or international investors willing to invest in the state.

She said though the legislative and executive was in place in the state, with the absence of a separate high court for Nagaland, the judiciary was yet to make a strong presence.

Disclosing that there were only 24 judicial officers in the state, NLSA member secretary said the strength would be increased shortly. She added that the current number of judicial officers were too less.

Meanwhile, pointing out that there were more than 49 schemes and programmes for women and children identified by the Nagaland Legal Services Authority, the member secretary said most of the common people did have access to those schemes due to the lack of awareness.

She said NSLA had its presence in all the districts headed by district judge and acted as a bridge between the beneficiaries and service providers (agency or department).

Further, informing that NSLA has introduced seven new schemes in 2015, she said that NSLA provided free and competent legal services and also Lok Adalat every month for speedy and amiable settlement. 

The new schemes she mentioned included Victims of Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation scheme, Legal Services to the Mentally Ill and Mentally Disabled Persons scheme, Effective Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Schemes, Protection and Enforcement of Tribal Rights scheme, Legal Services to the Workers in the Unorganized Sector scheme, Child-friendly Legal Services and their Protection Scheme and Legal Services to the victim of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug Menace scheme,

She said that NSLA has panel lawyers and para legal volunteers in every district to assist the common man.

On Friday, Gauhati High Court judge, Justice LS Jamir has underlined the need for seriously taking up the issue of setting up a separate High Court in the state. 

He said that having a separate High Court in the state can solve the hurdles and obstacles in dispensing law and justice, adding that it would also open up many new avenues and opportunities for the people.