Over 65 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from various relief camps participated in a one-day Paralegal workshop held at St. Thomas Parish Hall.
It was organized by St. Thomas Parish Singngat in collaboration with the the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Commission for Migrants, New Delhi on May 9.
The workshop aimed to equip IDPs with legal knowledge and enhance their understanding of paralegal support during displacement. The event began with an opening prayer by Father Athanasius Mung, followed by warm introductions and welcoming remarks.
Advocate Sr. Rani Punnasseril, coordinator of the Commission for Migrants, emphasized the vital need for IDPs to understand their constitutional rights in democratic India. She encouraged participants to remain hopeful in Christ amidst hardship, drawing inspiration from her congregation’s post-French Revolution history.
Sr. Rani also discussed FIR filing procedures, legal benefits, and social security schemes for marginalized communities. As a practical step, 12 leaders were appointed to assist fellow IDPs with documentation and verification processes in their villages.
She further encouraged migrants to register on the Catholic Connect for Migrants web portal to help the Church stay connected with its faithful across cities.
Senior Advocate George Munluo, the second resource person, spoke on “Legal Action That Can Be Used in Our Daily Lives.”
He explained citizens’ rights under Articles 25–28, particularly the right to religion, and highlighted the similarities between British-introduced laws and biblical values due to the influence of the Christian community in colonial India.
In his closing remarks, Mung, principal of St. Joseph’s School Singngat, thanked the CCBI Commission for Migrants and the speakers, acknowledging their ongoing support for IDPs since the outbreak of violence.
The workshop concluded on a hopeful note, empowering participants with tools to advocate for their rights and support one another in times of uncertainty.
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