‘Centre Will Not Touch Article 371’ Says Home Minister Amit Shah

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Putting an end to all fear and speculations, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday assured that the Centre will not touch Article 371 of the Constitution which grants special provisions to the North East.

Addressing the 68th plenary session of the North East Council (NEC) at the Assam Administrative Staff College here on Sunday afternoon, Shah said Article 370 was clearly temporary in nature but Article 371 is about the special provisions for the North East. He said there is a vast difference between the two.

“After abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, there were attempts to misinform and misguide the people of North East that Article 371 would also be scrapped by the Centre. I have clarified in Parliament that this is not going to happen. I am saying it again today in the presence of eight Chief Ministers of North East that the Prime Minister and BJP government respect the Article 371 and will not alter the Article any way,” Shah said.

Soon after the Centre moved a Presidential order on August 5 scrapping Article 370, which had given Jammu and Kashmir its special powers, Article 371, which has special provisions for NE States, has drawn public debate, controversies, fear and speculations.

During his speech in the NEC’s plenary session, Shah said those who want to see unrest and disturbances in the North East, are fuelling all such misinformation about Article 371.

“This is my first visit to the North East (as Union Home Minister). So I want to make it amply clear that the BJP will not alter Article 371 any way,” Shah said.

Also Read: Won’t Allow Illegal Migrants To Stay In India: Amit Shah

Also Watch: BJP to begin 'Seva Saptah' from September 14 | The Sentinel News | Assam News