A comprehensive legal awareness programme was organized at Brindavan Gram Panchayat, South Andaman, on the theme of “Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace and Cyber Crime.” The initiative was led by the Andaman & Nicobar State Legal Services Authority, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority and the International Human Rights & Crime Control Organisation (IHRCCO). The programme was part of ongoing efforts to bring legal literacy to rural and remote communities across the islands.
The event commenced with traditional ceremonies including the lighting of the lamp and a welcome rendition of “Vande Mataram.” It was attended by several legal dignitaries, including District Judge Sudhir Kumar, Registrar Rashid Alam of the Circuit Bench at Sri Vijaya Puram, Additional District Judge Niyaz Alam, and Chief Judicial Magistrate Samrat Roy. Representatives from IHRCCO, including Saraswathi Narayan and advocate Preeja Menon, also participated.
The speakers addressed various legal protections available to women, children, and digital citizens. District Judge Sudhir Kumar focused on women’s safety in both schools and workplaces. He outlined the steps for filing complaints and explained redressal mechanisms available under existing legislation. He also highlighted the responsibilities of educational institutions and workplaces in providing safe environments.
Registrar Rashid Alam elaborated on the increasing frequency of cybercrime and online frauds, including “digital arrest” scams where unsuspecting individuals are coerced into financial transactions by impersonators. He provided practical tips for identifying suspicious activities and explained the legal process for reporting cybercrimes.
Additional District Judge Niyaz Alam emphasized the importance of child safety laws, including the POCSO Act, and spoke about legal measures against child marriage. He explained the legal remedies available and discussed the roles of authorities tasked with child protection. Chief Judicial Magistrate Samrat Roy spoke about the Legal Services Authorities’ various schemes, including free legal aid, Lok Adalats, mediation services, and helpline numbers for legal emergencies.
Participants included villagers, women’s groups, students, and local leaders. The audience interacted with speakers, asking questions about real-life legal dilemmas and seeking guidance on filing complaints and accessing assistance. The officials answered each query with patience, reinforcing the objective of making legal processes more accessible and comprehensible.
The event demonstrated the effectiveness of bringing the judiciary closer to the community, especially in rural areas where legal literacy remains low. The active involvement of high-ranking judicial officers also lent credibility to the programme and encouraged public participation.
The IHRCCO emphasized the need to regularly conduct such awareness camps, especially in regions where access to legal infrastructure is limited. By focusing on relatable, real-world scenarios, the programme was able to convey complex legal ideas in a manner that resonated with the local populace.
As part of follow-up actions, the DLSA plans to distribute informational pamphlets and conduct smaller awareness drives at schools, anganwadis, and women’s self-help groups. Plans are also underway to create local support units where people can seek legal advice or lodge complaints without traveling long distances.
The programme concluded with the national anthem, symbolizing unity and reinforcing the commitment of the legal fraternity toward building a just and informed society. The success of the event reaffirmed the importance of proactive community engagement and opened new avenues for future legal awareness initiatives across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
