ES Reporter 

 

ITANAGAR, Aug 25: Amid the prevailing hullabaloo on social media and other platforms over the demand for Mon and Patkai Autonomous Councils when Arunachal Pradesh doesn’t enjoy the status of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution, Home Minister Bamang Felix on Tuesday disclosed that state cabinet has taken a historic decision to move a resolution in the ensuing assembly session to appeal to the Central government for including the state under 6th Schedule.

Speaking to the media, Felix said that the decision has been taken after the August 19 meeting on constitutional safeguards for the state’s indigenous people with all community based organisations that was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and as per the suggestion made by the chief minister. “After much outcry on the demands for Mon and Patkai Autonomous Councils and reviewing the views of the community based organisations, the state government has decided to move the resolution,” he added.

The Home Minister further informed that besides pressing for inclusion of Arunachal pPradesh in the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India to protect the tribal rights of its indigenous people, the resolution will also contain the demand for granting special provision to the state through strengthening of the Statehood Act via amendment of Article 371(H).

“This would be through insertion of provisions for protection of religious or social practices of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, the customary laws, land rights and other tribal procedures,” Felix clarified.