North Eastern States Worried After the End of Article 370 in J&K

After the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status, there is a growing suspension in the North-Eastern states over the protection of Article 371.        

It’s not only J&K, but several other states of India are under special protections according to various sections of Article 371 of the Constitution. But, it is feared that these might disappear after the Centre’s announcement on August 5. 

Mizoram’s former chief minister, Lal Thanhawla has tweeted on Monday evening and called the recent turn of events in Jammu and Kashmir “a red alert to the people of North East”. 

In Nagaland, anxieties are growing more and more about these special provisions. Fears grew so drastically that the newly appointed governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi had to issue a statement that there is nothing to worry about. Article 371A, the provision for Nagaland was a “sacred commitment,” he said. 

Article 371 in North East 

Most of the provisions under Article 371 are made to protect the indigenous identity of tribal communities and cultures in the states of the North East. It gives permission of decentralized governance, with a certain degree of administrative autonomy. It also offers dispute resolution through local customary laws. Several of these laws also restrict land transfer to those defined as outsiders to the state concerned. They primarily affect Mizoram, Nagaland, and parts of Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya. 

These provisions are not similar across the states. Article 371(A) which applies to Nagaland lends the state a fair amount of political autonomy and no act of the Indian Parliament will apply to the state if it interferes with the religious or social practices of the Nagas unless approved by the state legislature. On the other hand, Manipur’s Article 371 C is only restricted to its hills and offers significantly fewer powers to its hill districts council.