Photo : BSS

RAJSHAHI, Oct 19, 2025 (BSS)- Speakers at a participatory meeting here on 
Sunday underscored the need for popularising village courts in rural areas to 
resolve the small issues of dispute to build a peaceful society.

Integrated efforts of all government and non-government organisations 
concerned can be the best way of strengthening local justice systems in rural 
areas through establishing close-to-home, low-cost village courts that 
adjudicate minor disputes between residents.

Government officials and other stakeholders made the observation while 
addressing a coordination meeting with stakeholders to generate public 
awareness about the activities of village court.

District administration as part of implementation of the "Activation of 
Village Court in Bangladesh (third phase) project" organised the meeting at 
the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) discussing and devising ways 
and means on how to attain the cherished goal.

Deputy Director of Local Government Zakiul Islam addressed the meeting as the 
focal person. 

Additional Superintendent of Police Helena Akter, Deputy Director of 
Department of Youth Development ATM Golam Mahbub, Deputy Director of 
Department of Social Services Monira Khatun, District Primary Education 
Officer Anwar Hossain and Deputy Director of District Information Office 
Nafeyala Nasrin also spoke.

During his concept paper presentation, District Coordinator Lutfor Rahman 
attributed that the village court is a semi-formal judicial system for 
resolving minor disputes at the local level.

Main aim of village courts is to provide rural communities with accessible, 
affordable, and speedy justice for minor civil and criminal disputes by 
settling them locally for reducing the burden on formal courts and fostering 
social peace.

Making local authorities more responsive to justice needs, empowering 
marginalized groups to seek remedies at the local level, and resolving 
disputes in an expeditious and transparent manner are the specific 
objectives.

Zakiul Islam said village court works to provide the rural poor, women, and 
other vulnerable groups with a local and accessible justice system that is 
often intimidating and costly in formal courts.

It's mandated to settle minor disputes quickly, avoiding the lengthy and 
complex processes of the formal court system.