Manipur law minister L Jayentakumar inaugurating the IEC materials on 8 legislations in local dialects releasing function in Imphal on Thursday. Image credit: Suanmoi Guite

Manipur Law and Legislative Affairs minister Langpoklakpam Jayantakumar Singh on Thursday said that the translation of different Sections and Clauses of the Law Book to local languages is as important as giving law lessons to the common citizens.

He was speaking at the formal releasing function of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on eight legislations at Kuki Inn auditorium in Imphal.

The eight legislations which are translated into seven local languages including the five tribal dialects are- The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, The Special Marriage Act,1954, The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, The Rights of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, The Family Court Act, 1984, and The Manipur (Hills Areas) District Council Act, 1971.

The five tribal dialects are Paite, Poumai, Rongmei, Tangkhul and Thadou-Kuki while the other two local languages are Manipuri in Bengali script and Meitei script (Mayek).

Stating that it is through a law that people get justice, the law minister said, “It is the responsibility of the government to impart legal knowledge to the people.”

“Right to free and compulsory education for the children up to the age of 14 has become an Act. Constitution has also been amended several times according to the need of the changing society,” Singh added.

“People need civilised laws and regulations,” the minister further added.

In his speech, the Advocate General Manipur N Kumarjit Singh said that understanding law is necessary for developing a nation.

He also appealed the people to abide by the law of the land.

The IEC materials released were prepared under the Union ministry of law and justice sponsored project called “Legal empowerment to the marginalised sections of the society in Manipur”.

It was published by the law and legislative affairs department of Manipur.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: ssamom@gmail.com

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