Rajshahi: Speakers at a training session today highlighted the necessity of enhancing the effectiveness of village courts in rural areas to address minor disputes and foster a peaceful society. Integrated efforts from both government and non-government organizations were identified as crucial for bolstering local justice systems by establishing accessible and low-cost village courts that handle minor disputes among residents.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, government officials and stakeholders made these observations during the inaugural ceremony of a two-day training workshop aimed at Union Parishad Chairmen to raise public awareness about village court activities. The district administration organized this workshop as part of the ‘Activation of Village Court in Bangladesh (third phase) project’ at the Zila Parishad conference hall. The focus was on discussing and developing strategies to achieve the intended objectives.
Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi, Afia Akhter, served as the chief guest, while Deputy Director of Local Government, Zakiul Islam, chaired the session. Additional District Magistrate Umme Kulsum Sampa, Additional Superintendent of Police Helena Akter, Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs Shabnom Shirin, and District Legal Aid Officer Ariful Islam also contributed to the discussions.
During the presentation of the concept paper, District Coordinator Lutfor Rahman explained that village courts serve as a semi-formal judicial system aimed at resolving minor disputes at the local level. The primary goal of these courts is to offer rural communities accessible, affordable, and swift justice for minor civil and criminal disputes, thereby reducing the burden on formal courts and promoting social harmony.
Specific objectives include making local authorities more responsive to justice needs, empowering marginalized groups to seek remedies locally, and resolving disputes expediently and transparently. Afia Akhter emphasized that village courts are designed to provide the rural poor, women, and other vulnerable groups with a local and approachable justice system, in contrast to the often intimidating and costly formal court system. Village courts are mandated to settle minor disputes promptly, avoiding the lengthy and intricate processes typical of formal court systems.