Call for further strengthening village courts

RANGPUR, Nov 23 (BSS): Government officials and public representatives at a meeting on Thursday said the village courts have started bringing justice to the rural poor by resolving minor disputes at their doorsteps.

The observation came at the half-yearly coordination meeting on 'Assessment of Ongoing Activities of Village Courts in Bangladesh (second phase) Project' at the conference room of the deputy commissioner's office.

The district administration organised the meeting under the Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh (second phase) Project.

The Local Government Division has been implementing the project through Eco Social Development Organisation (ESDO) in 41 unions under five upazilas of Rangpur with financial assistance of the European Union and UNDP.

A total of sixty-five participants, including union and upazila parisahd chairmen, UNOs, officials of the district administration, local government division and different government departments and local journalists participated in the meeting.

Rangpur Divisional Director (Local Government) Md Anwar Hossain attended the meeting as the chief guest with additional deputy commissioner (General) Ruhul Amin Miah in the chair.

Executive Director of ESDO Dr Muhammad Shahid Uz Zaman delivered welcome speech narrating goals of the project that aims to further strengthening activities of the village courts in reaching justice easily to the rural poor at their doorsteps.

District Legal Aid Officer and Senior Assistant Judge Marjia Khatun, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Toffael Hossain and District Facilitator of UNDP Bangladesh Matiur Rahman also spoke narrating importance of the village courts.

Ruhul Amin Miah presented a keynote paper in the meeting narrating activities of the village courts, progress achieved in Rangpur district and challenges being faced.

The participating union chairmen narrated their experiences in running village courts and prevailing challenges with suggestions for further strengthening of the village courts.

The chief guest laid emphasis on further strengthening the village courts to reach justice to the poor by resolving minor disputes and conflicts amicably through proper implementation of the project to attain the suitable development goals by 2030.