ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Aug 28: Although there is much satisfaction among the state’s political stakeholders over smooth passage of the resolution demanding amendment of Article 371 (H) of the Indian Constitution and inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh under the 6th Schedule during the current fifth session of the state assembly, the state’s oldest and lone regional political party, the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) has reminded that it has been vocal over the issues since its inception.
“Many elected members have termed the resolution ‘historic’ and unanimously supported the cause, however, the state’s most oldest and lone regional political party, the PPA, of which the incumbent Chief Minister Pema Khandu was once a part of and led the government for a short duration in 2016 has been demanding for amendment of Article 371 (H) since the party’s inception,” PPA President Kahfa Bengia recalled. “The PPA’s sole objective was to ensure rights on our own resources -Jal, Jameen and Jungle,” he said while welcoming the resolution passed by the state government on the floor of the assembly on Thursday. “The hullabaloo on demands for Mon Autonomous Council (MAC) and Patkai Autonomous Council (PAC) may be a blessing in disguise due to which the resolution was tabled and passed,” Bengia opined.
Recalling the chronology, the PPA President said the resolution was nothing new in the state assembly as private member resolutions were already tabled and passed in 2013 by then MLA Takar Marde and Nikh Kamin in 2015. “However, the then ruling government didn’t pursue it properly with the Centre and instead was wedged to the demands for autonomous councils,” the PPA Chief asserted, adding that the party’s objectives are very much the same that was passed in the assembly. “ From the very beginning we sought  ownership and transfer rights of the state’s people over their land and resources, preservation of social practices, customary laws and administrative rights of civil and criminal justice,” Bengia stated, mentioning that only amendment of Article 371 (H) can bring the changes.
When contacted for comments, Janata Dal (United) Arunachal Pradesh unit chief Ruhi Tagung also welcomed the resolution. “We welcome the resolution passed in the assembly by the elected legislators for the welfare of the state and its people,” he stated. For every single developmental work we have to ask the Centre for permission and we cannot do anything in our own land even. So, if the amendments and 6th Schedule inclusion are conferred to the state, we should welcome them,” the JD (U) President said.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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