Guwahati: The Assam State Legal Services Authority (ASLSA) and the Gauhati High Court, under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), have organized the East-Zone Regional Conference of the Seven North-Eastern States along with Sikkim, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha. The two-day conference, taking place on October 11–12 in Guwahati, holds major significance for the Eastern and North-Eastern regions as it focuses on strengthening social and legal service delivery mechanisms.
Presided over by Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India and Executive Chairman of NALSA, the event is being graced by the Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma; Union Law Minister, A. R. Meghwal; Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court; and Judges and Chief Justices from several High Courts including those of Sikkim, Patna, Calcutta, Jharkhand, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Odisha.
Also Read: Assam CM cautions against renaming Bogibeel Bridge after Zubeen Garg
The conference, attended by over 350 delegates, brings together judicial officers, member secretaries of State Legal Services Authorities, chief legal aid defence counsels, panel and legal aid lawyers, para-legal volunteers, and senior officials from various state departments. It aims to deliberate on key social and legal issues such as child marriage prevention, child rights protection, combating drug abuse, safeguarding tribal rights, ensuring welfare for the tea garden community, and addressing mental health challenges.
In a historic initiative, Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar of the Gauhati High Court has introduced the establishment of Legal Services Clinics in Assam’s tea gardens. For the first time, 46 Legal Services Clinics will be inaugurated across various districts by Justice Surya Kant. This milestone initiative marks the beginning of an effort to set up such clinics in every tea garden in the state, providing marginalized tea garden workers with access to legal aid and justice at their doorsteps.
A short awareness film promoting the eradication of child marriage and drug abuse while encouraging mental well-being will also be screened during the event.
Also Read: Former MP and Senior Leader Rajen Gohain Quits BJP
The conference seeks to promote regional cooperation and strengthen the network of legal service institutions to ensure equitable access to justice for all. Through interactive sessions and experience-sharing, participants will develop practical strategies and policy recommendations for the effective implementation of legal aid schemes and welfare measures across the Eastern and North-Eastern states.
