KISHTWAR: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kishtwar on Saturday organised a consultation on strengthening access to legal services for disaster victims under the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Legal Services to Disaster Victims Scheme, 2010.
The programme, held at Government Degree College, Kishtwar, was organised under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority (JKLSA) in collaboration with UNICEF India.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and Executive Chairman of JKLSA, presided over the event. The consultation brought together judicial officers, district administration officials, disaster management agencies, legal services functionaries and UNICEF representatives to discuss mechanisms for ensuring timely legal assistance, relief and rehabilitation for disaster-affected persons.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Sanjeev Kumar said legal aid clinics and legal services institutions should function as accessible first points of assistance for disaster victims. He stressed the need for timely identification of affected persons, legal counselling, assistance in obtaining documents, securing compensation and entitlements, and continued support during rehabilitation.
He emphasised special attention to children, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups who may face difficulties in accessing assistance.
The High Court judge also called for strengthening Core Groups at district and community levels and enhancing coordination among legal aid clinics, para-legal volunteers, DLSAs and other legal services institutions.
Justice Kumar directed DLSA Kishtwar to document field interventions, review pending entitlement cases and work closely with civil administration, disaster management authorities and child protection agencies.
During the visit, he also conducted virtual court proceedings from Kishtwar and heard cases through online mode.
Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kishtwar, and Chairman DLSA Kishtwar, Sudhir Kumar Khajuria, led a technical session on the role of legal services authorities in disaster response, relief and rehabilitation.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma briefed participants on the administration’s response to the Chashoti cloudburst of August 14, 2025, including rescue, restoration and relief measures, and outlined steps being taken to improve disaster preparedness.
Representatives of UNICEF discussed disaster risk education, child protection and expansion of legal services interventions for disaster-affected communities. Para-legal volunteers and students also shared perspectives on disaster awareness and preparedness.
Motorised tricycles were distributed among beneficiaries during the programme as part of rehabilitation and mobility support initiatives.
The event was attended by Member Secretary JKLSA Shazia Tabasum, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, SSP Kishtwar Sunny Gupta, judicial officers, representatives of UNICEF, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, members of the Bar, faculty members, students and civil society representatives.