Kohima: The Nagaland State Legal Services Authority is fighting a massive court backlog. Officials reported 4,635 cases currently pending across judicial courts. During a one-day training session in Kohima, Member Secretary Neiko Akami said his office handled 543 new filings this year while closing 525. The session at the DPDB Conference Hall trained fifteen community leaders from Kohima, Dimapur, Phek, Wokha, and Mokokchung to settle minor disputes outside of formal courtrooms.
Akami pointed to the success of Lok Adalats. These sessions settled over 600 pending cases this year alone. He warned that drug crimes are spiking throughout the state. Over 700 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act hit the books over the last three years. Official data from July 31 shows 488 people currently face charges, including 474 men and 14 women. Akami stressed that "socio-economic disparities frequently drive disputes" while urging leaders to help citizens access legal aid and victim compensation.
Local mediators learned how to navigate conflicts through technical sessions led by advocates Medohonu Kharutso and Sunjib Rana. They covered mediation ethics, documentation, and referral protocols. Meanwhile, the authority maintains front offices in all 11 districts to provide free legal help through panel lawyers and Para-Legal Volunteers. Leaders also discussed financial relief for victims of human-wildlife conflicts.
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