Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, May 19, 2026 (BSS) - A coordination planning workshop was held here with participation from local government and non-government organizations, aiming to significantly increase public awareness about village courts. 

The workshop was held today in the Paba Upazila Parishad conference room, presided over by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ibnul Abedin.

He said that minor crimes and disputes occur frequently in rural areas. Although these fall under the jurisdiction of village courts, many people turn to police stations or district courts due to a lack of awareness. 

This results in wasted time and money and prolongs the judicial process.

He further stated that if awareness about village courts is raised among the general public, disputes can be easily solved at the local level. In this regard, the active role of public representatives, teachers, imams, NGO workers, and the media is essential. 

If the services of village courts can be brought to people's doorsteps, access to justice will become easier, case backlogs will decrease, and people will receive justice quickly, which aligns with the government's goal of ensuring justice.

Various recommendations were presented at the workshop to make village court activities more effective. 

These include: strengthening publicity campaigns at the village level, organizing regular courtyard meetings at Union Parishads, holding awareness discussions in schools and colleges, increasing publicity in local media, and arranging training for relevant stakeholders.

The keynote paper was presented by Lutfur Rahman, District Manager of the Village Court Project.

Paba Upazila Social Services Officer Mohammad Hossain Khan, Women Affairs Officer Fatema Khatun, BRAC District Coordinator Mohsin Ali, and Press Club President Kazi Nazmul Islam spoke on the occasion.

Upazila Coordinator Ranjan Kumar Roy moderated the discussion. 
 
Participants in the workshop expressed that to make village courts effective, coordinated initiatives at the local level are essential alongside raising public awareness. 

This would enable the general public to receive justice quickly, affordably, and through a simple process.