DLSA Jammu organizes mega awareness camp on Protection of Tribal Rights

JAMMU : District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Jammu, in collaboration with the department of tribal affairs and Mission Youth, today organised a mega awareness camp on protection and enforcement of Tribal Rights here at Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) Jammu.

The aim of the camp was to raise awareness about the issues related to protection and enforcement of tribal rights in Jammu and Kashmir UT. Mr Justice Ali Mohammad Magray, judge of High Court of UT of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman J&K Legal Service Authority was the Chief Guest.

In his address, Justice Magray said that the objective of such camps was to make people aware about their fundamental rights and aspects regarding services of various departments and also connect them with the welfare schemes. He stressed on the need for spreading legal awareness amongst tribal people about forest laws and consequences of infringing the provisions of law. “Lack of awareness about the Law and schemes for scheduled tribes and under-privileged classes is common in our country. However, anyone of them could avail the benefits of all such schemes by approaching DLSA” he said. He also said that the legal awareness program in tribal areas will enlighten the Tribal community about the benefits of education, their rights and entitlements under various government schemes and benefits of modern technology which would be helpful in improving their traditional occupational works.

Justice Magrey said that there is an immediate need to educate the tribal youth about the importance of education so that they can achieve their goals and get jobs in the public or private sector, where reservation policy is applicable. He asked for the constitution of School legal literacy clubs in tribal dominated areas to encourage tribal children to stay in school, while at the same time sensitising other students and teachers of the special needs of tribal children.

Chairman Gujjar Desh Charitable Trust, Advocate Shah Mohammad Choudhary, in his address, highlighted the achievements of the trust in promoting and preserving the tribal culture. “The trust was established for the welfare of tribal people and their children. The trust has its own school where the needy and poor children of the community are provided the best quality of education. A big library having more than 5000 books and national and international journals is also catering to the needs of Tribal Youth: he added.

He raised many issues and problems faced by the people of the tribal community in J&KUT and hoped that all the genuine demands would be resolved as early as possible.

Later, Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey inspected the library and inaugurated the Legal literacy Club in K.B higher Secondary School. Vote of thanks present by M.L Manhas, Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Jammu

Among others present in the camp were ADC Jammu, Ghanshyam Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandan Kohli and other concerned officials.