Shopian, Aug 8: Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Sanjeev Kumar, Saturday presided over an awareness programme on NALSA’s SAMVAD (Strengthening Access to Justice for Marginalized, Vulnerable Adivasis and De-notified/Nomadic Tribes) Scheme at Imtiyaz Memorial Government Degree College, Shopian.
Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, and M.K. Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, were also present.
The programme was organised by the District Legal Services Authority, Shopian, under the aegis of J&K Legal Services Authority.
On arrival, the Acting Chief Justice and other dignitaries inspected stalls put up by various government departments.
Addressing the gathering, Sanjeev Kumar lauded DLSA Shopian and J&K LSA for organising the programme.
He highlighted the constitutional and legal rights of tribal communities and the role of Legal Services Authorities in ensuring access to justice at the grassroots level.
He said the NALSA SAMVAD Scheme, 2025, aims to bridge the gap between tribal communities and legal aid services.
Principal District & Sessions Judge and Chairman, DLSA Shopian, Mehmood Ahmad Chowdhary, delivered the welcome address. He stressed the importance of legal awareness and community outreach among tribal populations.
MLA Shopian, Deputy Commissioner Shopian and SSP Shopian were also present.
The dignitaries later released Sabeel, a publication prepared by DLSA Shopian.
Tribal boys and girls presented a cultural programme showcasing the community’s rich culture and heritage.
More than 2,000 tribal people from across Shopian attended the event. They were sensitised about the SAMVAD Scheme 2025.
Felicitation certificates were distributed among achievers from the tribal community. Beneficiaries of various government schemes were also provided benefits on the spot by the dignitaries.
Members of the Bar, representatives of tribal communities and officers of various departments spoke on the occasion. They shared their views on the implementation of tribal welfare schemes.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by the Principal Magistrate, JJB Shopian.
Later, the Acting Chief Justice and Registrar General inspected the newly constructed District Court Complex, Shopian.
They also interacted with Judicial Officers and members of the Bar Association, Shopian. Issues relating to legal aid and access to justice were discussed.
Registrar Vigilance, Registrar Judicial, Registrar IT and Joint Registrar Protocol of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, besides other district officers, were present.
