PASIGHAT : The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Siang, under the aegis of the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA), in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), organised a legal awareness programme at APU here on the occasion of International Youth Day 2026 on Wednesday.
Held on the theme “Empowered Youth, Stronger India,” the programme was attended by faculty members, research scholars and postgraduate students of the university.
East Siang DLSA Secretary Bido Sora, APJS, addressed the gathering on “Legal Empowerment and Constitutional Citizenship: Rights, Responsibilities and Access to Justice.” He explained the legal services framework under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, the role and functions of Legal Services Authorities and the availability of free legal aid. He also briefed the participants on basic legal rights relating to filing of First Information Reports (FIRs), arrest, detention, bail, fair trial and access to legal assistance.
Emphasising youth empowerment, Sora highlighted the importance of responsible exercise of rights, digital citizenship, artificial intelligence and academic integrity. Referring to the recent clarification by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant regarding remarks made in the context of alleged fake, false or unrecognised law degrees, he stressed the wider importance of integrity and credibility in academic and professional life.
He also cautioned participants against interpreting statements without their proper context, particularly at a time when short video clips and incomplete information can spread rapidly through social media.
Advocate Denzing Sonowal, resource person, spoke on “Right to Expression, Defamation and the POCSO Act in the Social Media Age.” He sensitised the participants on responsible exercise of freedom of expression, the legal consequences of defamatory content and the need for particular caution while dealing with children and child-related content on social media.
Advocate Sunny Tayeng, another resource person, addressed the gathering on “Law, Dignity and Safety in Educational Institutions: Ragging, Harassment and Gender Sensitisation,” stressing the importance of dignity, safety, mutual respect and responsible conduct in educational institutions.
The technical sessions were followed by an interactive session in which participants raised queries and discussed various legal issues with the resource persons.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on the need for young people to remain legally informed, exercise their rights responsibly and use their education and knowledge for the larger good of society.
