‘890 Indian laws were not applicable to J&K till 370 abrogation’
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 26 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today called upon the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA) to ensure that all possible legal aid reaches the Army personnel and vulnerable sections of society so that their Constitutional rights are protected.
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Speaking at the North Zone Regional Conference on “Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel and Tribals: Bridging the Gaps” organised by National Legal Services Authority, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and J&K Legal Services Authority, at Srinagar, the LG said that the SLSA should ensure legal aid to Army personnel, tribal community, deprived and vulnerable sections of society on time so that their lives become easier.
“Constitution of India guarantees Justice, social, economic and political and one of the facets of providing Justice is access to justice to all the citizens and it is to be ensured that Justice reaches to the poorest of poor, who deserves it the most,” he said.
Sinha said that the justice system has been deeply rooted in the soul of India and played a pivotal role in the nation’s progress. “In our culture, the court is not merely an office of justice but a sacred temple of justice, dedicated to ensuring equal justice and access to the legal system for all, without discrimination,” he added.
The LG highlighted key structural reforms taken in the past few years to establish social and economic justice in Jammu and Kashmir.
The LG said that 890 Indian laws were not applicable in J&K till August 5, 2019 and abrogation of Article 370 paved way for bringing the region at par with the rest of the country. Click here to watch video
“Article 370 was nullified by the Indian Parliament in 2019 and later the Supreme Court also supported it. Now all the laws are applicable in J&K and Dalits, Adivasis, and women have got their equal rights,” he said.
Sinha said that before 2019 various Central laws including two important central legislations namely the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 were not applicable to J&K.
“Now, these laws have become applicable and tribal community has been empowered. We are extending all Constitutional guarantees and protections to the members of Tribal population including access to justice by providing free and competent legal aid to them,” he added.
The LG said that his administration has taken major initiatives to ensure ease of justice to the members of Armed Forces and reiterated its commitment to provide legal aid to the tribal community.
“Amendment has been made in J&K Legal Services Authority, Rules 2020 to include Secretary, Zila Sainik Board as member of District Legal Services Authority to provide legal aid to soldiers,” he added.
Sinha said that Sainik Sahayta Kendra has been established and it is a dedicated institutional mechanism for facilitating the redressal of civilian grievances faced by soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces, who are posted in the J&K, or who belong to the UT and are presently serving in other parts of the country.
The LG emphasised that delay in justice means defeat of moral duties of legal services authorities at the grassroots level involved in helping the deprived and vulnerable sections.
“I am confident that in this important conference, along with solutions to the challenges being faced at the district level, the necessary interventions to make the common citizens aware of their rights under the Constitution will also be discussed,” he added.
Sinha felicitated legal luminaries, officials of National Legal Services Authority, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, J&K Legal Services Authority and everyone associated with the conference. He also paid tribute to those who laid down their lives in Kargil war.
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