KAKKANAD: In the wake of rising atrocities against children, the District Legal Service Authority (DLSA) has decided to extend its ‘legal clinic’ to all educational institutions in the district. With the launching of this legal clinic, students will get free legal awareness classes led by senior advocates. KELSA, (Kerala Legal Service Authority), had started the clinic three years ago, but it couldn’t make much headway.
“We can read a lot of cases on atrocities against children in the newspapers, but many of these are not properly handled or being reported owing to lack of awareness. That motivated us to set up such clinics in schools and other educational institutions,” said G Anil, sub judge, and secretary of Legal Service Authority.
So far, 83 schools, 16 colleges and 6 professional institutions under the Kanayannur Taluk have expressed their willingness to set up such clinics in their schools.
“Students in schools might face some harassments but many of these victims prefer to be silent due to fear and other factors . Atrocities against students should be recognised and stopped immediately and it is heartening to note that some schools have come forward to start such a venture.
In order to initiate the programme, we have already started giving training to school teachers to make them aware about the legal procedures,” Anil said. Besides, DLSA which functions under the Kerala Legal Service Authority would also start adalats in the school and panchayat level.
“The adalat will comprise of one judicial officer, one advocate and a public nominated person. Here people can register their grievances and the commission would provide free legal aid. “We will start the programme in all panchayats by next week and the district panchayat has come forwarded to support the venture,” Anil added.Apart from this, the DLSA is also planning to start a clinic centre at the district administration too, as it will help to dispose the cases at the entry level.
“We will submit a memorandum to the District Collector about starting a clinic at the District Collectorate. There are several complaints related to APL and BPL cards, pension, property disputes etc that are forwarded to the Collector due to lack of awareness on legal formalities. If we could set up a clinic, it would be a great relief and advantage to the people who visit there for help,” he said.