The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has urged an amendment to Article 371(H) of the Constitution to secure stronger constitutional safeguards and greater autonomy for the state, citing concerns over proposed mega dam projects and the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023. A delegation led by APCC president Bosiram Siram submitted a memorandum to Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, in New Delhi on February 18, seeking his intervention on these issues.
According to a party release, the memorandum flagged the environmental, ecological and socio-economic consequences of large dam projects in Arunachal Pradesh, and argued that recent changes to forest law could further weaken protections for the state’s environment and communities. The APCC said these threats make it necessary to bolster constitutional safeguards for the frontier state.
The delegation stressed the need to protect indigenous rights, environmental security and sustainable development. It warned that current and proposed infrastructure projects, if unchecked, could undermine tribal customary laws, local livelihoods and fragile ecosystems in the Himalayan foothills. The memorandum, the party said, lays out these concerns in detail and asks for appropriate political and legal intervention.
Article 371(H) currently grants Arunachal Pradesh special administrative provisions in view of its strategic location, sensitive international borders and distinct socio-cultural composition. Under the provision, the Governor has special responsibility for law and order and may exercise individual judgment after consulting the council of ministers; the state assembly is also empowered to determine its own structure and number of seats.
The APCC contended, however, that Article 371(H) does not extend legal protection over ownership and transfer of land and natural resources in the way Article 371A does for Nagaland or Article 371G for Mizoram. The state Congress unit has therefore demanded legislative autonomy along similar lines to ensure stronger safeguards for tribal customary laws, religious and social practices.
During the meeting the delegation presented a detailed note outlining what it described as pressing concerns for the state and urged Kharge to take up the matter. Kharge acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and, according to the party release, assured the APCC of support in pursuing them at appropriate forums.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/story/arunachal-pradesh-congress-seeks-amendment-to-article-371h-for-greater-autonomy-1348247-2026-02-18?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-02-18 21:20:00
