Ganderbal: A four days long orientation cum training program for members of the Legal Services Unit for Children and the Persons with Mental Illness Intellectual Disabilities, organised by the District Legal Services Authority Ganderbal concluded on Monday.
The event was held under the supervision of Abdul Nasir, Chairman, DLSA Ganderbal, and under the guidance Sheikh Babar Hussain, Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal.
The training, held at Conference Hall, District Court Complex, Ganderbal, aimed for the implementation of NALSA Schemes, 2024 for children’s and persons with mental illness and intellectual disability.
The program sensitised participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective legal services to children’s and persons with mental illness and intellectual disability.
The training program for LSUC members was held on January 01& 02, 2025 while the training program for LSUM members was held on January 03 & 04, 2025, at the Conference Hall, District Court Complex, Ganderbal.
During the 4-days long orientation training program, Rafia Hassan, Additional District and Sessions Judge (AD&SJ), Ganderbal, delivered a comprehensive presentation on Actions and Interventions under the NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024.
She emphasized the importance of providing legal services to persons with mental illness and intellectual disabilities at various stages, institutions and locations, including, Beggar’s Homes, Women’s Protection Homes, Child Care Institutions, Prisons, through home visits.
She also highlighted the significance of providing legal assistance in availing benefits of social welfare schemes especially to the children’s and persons with mental illness.
During the inaugural session, Sheikh Babar Hussain outlined the objectives behind conducting of the training program and emphasised the importance of providing effective legal services to vulnerable members of society especially children’s and mentally sick persons.
The program aimed to sensitise the participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement “NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024” and “NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024”.
Principal Magistrate JJB Ganderbal, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the legal and policy frameworks in the context of children in conflict with law. She highlighted the actions and interventions under the scheme, with a focus on legal services to children in conflict with the law.
She elaborated on the various stages where legal services are provided to children, including, at Police Station, Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Children’s Homes (CCIs), Children’s Courts, Prisons etc.
Besides, Chairperson, Tehsil Legal Services Committee (TLSC), Ganderbal, provided an in-depth analysis of the Legal and Policy Frameworks in the Context of Persons with Mental Illness and Intellectual Disabilities under NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024.
Ajaz Ahmad Mir, Retired District Judge, Advisor/Mentor of the both units virtually conducted an interactive session with the participants. The session included introductions, ice-breaking activities, and a discussion to understand the importance of training with respect to the provision of legal services to children, persons with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.
He also provided a comprehensive overview of the NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024, and NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental Illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024, highlighting its objective, key features, actions and interventions.
Subsequently, Khursheed Ahmad, Public Prosecutor, CJM Court, Ganderbal; Afshana, Counselor from District Hospital Ganderbal; Advocate Shaguta Nabi, Center Administrator, One Stop Center (OSC) Ganderbal; Ghulam Rasool Rather, Advocate; Tanveer Ashraf, Assistant Legal Aid Defense Counsel (LADC), Ganderbal and Sajad Ahmad Rather, Member, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Anantnag also elaborated on the subject.
The training program was called off with featured expert sessions, interactive discussions, and case studies, providing participants with a holistic understanding of the legal framework and best practices to execute “NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services for Children) Scheme, 2024” and “NALSA (Legal Services to Persons with Mental illness and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities) Scheme, 2024 in District Ganderbal.
All the members of both units took a pledge that they will burn the midnight oil for the effective implementation of these schemes on the ground so that the deserving persons will be benefitted.
