In tune with its aim of providing free and competent legal aid to marginalised sections, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) has embarked on an intensive sensitisation programme.
The DLSA has, for the first time, commenced a door-to-door campaign with special focus on the city’s coastal areas. The prime objective is to propagate awareness regarding the provisions of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987, and provide legal advice.
Connecting to Serve
The drive has been organised in connection with the 10-day awareness programme, ‘Connecting to Serve,’ that is being conducted across the country by the National Legal Services Authority. The district-level campaign was launched by DLSA chairman and district judge K. Haripal on November 9.
The door-to-door campaign was launched by DLSA secretary Siju Sheik at an anganwadi in Melarannoor on Tuesday. Fifteen teams, each consisting of a panel lawyer and a para-legal volunteer, headed for various areas, including Karimadom Colony, Poonthura, Thumba, Veli, Randanchira, and Valiyathura. “Focus was given to coastal areas as high incidence of domestic violence, child abuse and drug addiction have been reported from there. Besides, the areas have a high number of school dropouts too,” DLSA section officer Santhosh Kumar said.
The authority would soon undertake a survey to identify school dropouts and to assist them in continuing their education during the next academic year.
The teams will visit houses in Rajaji Nagar Colony on Wednesday. On November 17, the authority will conduct awareness programmes at the Poojappura Central Prison, district jail and the sub-jail to sensitise the inmates to alcohol and drug abuse.
The drive will culminate on Saturday with a walkathon from Kowdiar to Museum in which all judicial officer in the district will participate.
The DLSA has simultaneously been undertaking the ‘Uthishtatha Jagratha’ campaign aimed at sensitising school and college students to cyber laws.
