New Delhi: The demand for inclusion of Arunachal Pradesh under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution has gained momentum after Rajya Sabha MP from the state Nabam Rebia got support from two other Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs from Odisha in the Parliament.
Earlier, the Arunachal Pradesh cabinet had unanimously decided to approach to the Centre regarding the inclusion of the state under the Sixth Schedule.
While raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Rebia said, "I urge upon the central government to consider this request of the state government."
The BJP government in Arunachal Pradesh has been demanding for inclusion of the state under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution by strengthening Article 371 (H), so as to protect the rights of its indigenous people.
Rebia said that even though Arunachal Pradesh got statehood in 1986, the state has not been given any constitutional protection.
"We are getting the Constitutional protection only from the laws made by the British-Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, 1873, and Chin Hills Regulations, 1896," he said.
Rebia said that some other tribal areas in the region have been given special protection by the Constitution.
Read: Ladakh leaders urge Centre for tribal-area status to protect its identity
The issue raised by Rebia, got the support of two Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs - Sujeet Kumar and Sasmit Patra.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) secretary Tobom Dai said many organisations in the state have been demanding the Sixth Schedule.
"We want more strength to the 371 (H) to protect the land rights, Constitutional rights, religious right and customary right of the tribal people," said Dai.
He said that there was a demand for creation of autonomous council in the state, and subsequently demand for Mon and Patkai Autonomous Council have gained momentum, "though some people are opposing it."
"We demand for strengthening of 371 (H). As of now, there is no right for the indigenous people under the existing law. Only power has been given to the Governor for law and order issues," said Dai.
It may be mentioned here that in the Northeast, Sixth Schedule consists of provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Read: ST (Hills) status to Bodos opposed in Assam
Passed by the Constituent Assembly of 1949, the 6th Schedule seeks to safeguard the rights of tribal population through the formation of Autonomous District Council (ADC).
At present there are 10 areas in the northeast that are registered as ADCs that include three each in Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. Tripura also has a autonomous district council.
The 6th Schedule also become relevant due to the recently notified Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
The CAA excluded 6 Schedule areas from the ambit of the Act and accordingly the refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who will be given Indian citizenship will not have any land or trading rights in the autonomous regions.
However, the CAA also exempted Inner Line Permit (ILP) areas from the ambit of the Act. Significantly, ILP is prevalent in Arunachal Pradesh.
Read: If CAA is bad for ILP-6th schedule areas, how is it good for rest of NE: AASU-NESO
The ILP, warranted by the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act of 1873, is an official travel document issued by the state government concerned to other citizens into the protected areas for a limited period.
The ILP system is prevalent in Nagaland and Mizoram too.
Leaders from Arunachal Pradesh believe that ILP system cannot provide full guarantee to the rights of the indigenous people.
Interestingly, a consultative committee formed by the Arunachal Pradesh Government had also suggested formation of Mon Autonomous Region in the western part of the state and Patkai Autonomous Council in the eastern part.
