Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has said that the concept of capital punishment is foreign to the Naga people’s customary law, where forgiveness is deeply embedded as a fundamental value in both traditional and modern systems of justice.
Speaking at the valedictory session of a legal services camp organised by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) in collaboration with the state government, Rio emphasized the importance of reformative justice over punitive measures. He noted that efforts are continually being made to reform law violators and reintegrate them into society.
Highlighting the judiciary’s crucial role in shaping India’s progress, the chief minister said, “The legal fraternity, led by the Supreme Court and subordinate courts, has upheld equality, strengthened the nation’s social fabric, and contributed to economic growth.” He also noted that mediation — a key method in modern dispute resolution — has long been an integral part of Naga customary law.
Delivering the keynote address, Supreme Court judge and Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Justice B R Gavai, underscored the need for legal awareness. “There can be no justice unless people are aware of their rights and entitlements enshrined in the law,” he said.
Justice Gavai also praised Article 371(A) of the Constitution, which gives Nagaland special protection by ensuring that no Act of Parliament applies to the state regarding Naga religious or social practices, customary law, or land ownership unless approved by the State Assembly.
Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, also addressed the gathering, assuring that the new high court complex at Meriema in Kohima district would be completed on priority. He lauded legal awareness camps for empowering citizens to understand and access their legal rights.
Over 3,500 beneficiaries availed services at the camp, marking a significant step in bridging legal awareness and access to justice in remote regions of the state.
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