An interaction programme with the prisoners of Sajiwa Jail was held at the jail on Saturday to extend legal aid to the inmates. It was organised by the District Legal Services Authority.
The programme was attended by Arshad Saeed Shah, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Imphal East; P Tolen, Avocate, Penal Lawyer, MASLSA, other penal lawyers and para legal volunteers of Legal Aid Clinic, Sajiwa Jail.
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At the beginning of the interaction programme, Arshad Saeed Shah explained the process of criminal proceedings, from filing of FIR and investigation to filing of charge-sheet and trial in the Court. The prisoners were also made aware of their rights provided under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987 where it is provided that a person in custody is entitled to free legal aid.
It was also explained that the programme was held in order to extend legal aids to the undertrial prisoners who were unable to move bail on their own, to the convicts who want to go for appeal, to make sure that the prisoners are in good health and to reconnect with the family members of the prisoners who had lost contact with their family members.
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About 68 undertrial prisoners and 20 convicted prisoners, who were sent to prison by various courts of Imphal East, participated in the interaction programme. There were 531 prisoners at the beginning of the month.
Prisoners, who are unable to hire a lawyer of their own, will be provided with legal aid. Prisoners were also given a chance to clear their doubts.
