BASAR, 23 Aug: The Leparada District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), in collaboration with the district administration, organised a legal orientation-cum-training programme for gaon buras/buris (GBs) here on Saturday.
The programme aimed at strengthening legal awareness among traditional village functionaries and enhancing their understanding of their duties and responsibilities in facilitating access to justice and addressing issues concerning local communities.
The orientation programme covered a range of important legal and social issues relevant to the grassroots level, including the duties and responsibilities of GBs, the Arunachal Pradesh Victim Compensation Scheme, the Assam Frontier (Administration of Justice) Regulation, 1945, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, laws relating to domestic violence, and the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Courts Act, 2021.
District & Sessions Judge-cum-DLSA Chairperson Jaweplu Chai addressed the participants on key aspects of law and the role of GBs in promoting legal awareness and access to justice at the village level.
ADC Tamo Riba highlighted the importance of coordination between traditional village institutions and the district administration in addressing community issues and ensuring effective implementation of laws and government initiatives.
Other resource persons included Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Civil Judge (Senior Division) of West Siang district Utumso Boo, DLSA panel advocate Mijum Doke, and Leparada chief legal aid defence counsel Ito Riram.
The resource persons provided practical insights into the relevant legal provisions, and discussed the role of village-level functionaries in preventing social and legal problems, assisting victims and vulnerable persons, and facilitating access to legal services.
Particular emphasis was laid on issues concerning child marriage and domestic violence, with participants being sensitised to the legal consequences of such practices, and the importance of timely intervention and reporting.
The participants were also oriented on victim compensation mechanisms and the availability of free legal aid and assistance for eligible persons.
Around 63 GBs from different villages across Leparada district participated in the programme. (DIPRO)
