BANDIPORA : The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Bandipora on Saturday organized a legal awareness camp on early access to justice at pre-arrest, arrest and remand stage at Dak Bunglow, Sumbal.

The programme was organised in collaboration with Sub Division Police Office Sumbal under the chairmanship of Chairman DLSA and Principal District and Sessions Judge, Bandipora Amit Sharma and under the guidance of Secretary DLSA Bandipora, Nusrat Ali Hakak.

The programme was inaugurated by Secretary Nusrat Ali Hakak while Mir Aabid SDPO Sumbal, Masood Ahmad, SHO Sumbal, IOs of Police Post Nowgam and Ajas were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary DLSA Bandipora said that early access to justice framework is devised primarily with the objectives to provide legal assistance to needy suspects and arrestees during interrogation and other early stages of investigation to decrease the vulnerabilities of suspects and arrestees.

She said it helps in avoiding unnecessary arrests, to assist the arrestees in filing bail applications and furnishing bail bonds.

Hakak highlighted the role of legal services authorities and the coordination between the police authorities and legal services Authorities for effective implementation of early access to justice framework.

Advocate Irshad Ahmad Dar resource person also delivered a lecture on the framework of providing Legal Assistance at Pre-Arrest, Arrest and Remand Stage.

He also apprised the gathering about the role of DLSAs and rights of persons at pre-arrest, arrest and at remand stage including the right to avail free legal aid from Legal Services Institutions.

The programme was attended by officials of Sub Division Police Office Sumbal, Staff Members of DLSA Bandipora, Staff Members of TLSC Sumbal, Para Legal Volunteers of Sumbal & students of GDC Sumbal.