Article 370 revocation: Meghalaya Cong legislator says India’s federal structure under “threat”

SHILLONG |Aug 06, 2019:

Joining the debate over the abrogation of Article 370, Congress legislator from Meghalaya, Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday has termed the decision of the BJP led NDA Government as a "huge threat to the federal structure of the country."

Lyngdoh is of the view that the people belonging to the indigenous communities will have to find a platform to protest against this move of the Centre.

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"We need to understand that Article 35(A) and 371 of the Constitution are special provisions in honouring the accession of apex agreement between the union government and the region," Lyngdoh told reporters here today.

She said that there are similar agreements signed in the North Eastern region. "But the BJP led Government has rudely snatched these special provisions of the Constitution from the people of Jammu and Kashmir," senior Congress leader observed.

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She further stated that dishonoring that pact is in itself an indicator that it is a very worrying factor. "Article 35(A) and 371 of the Constitution empowered the State Government especially on the rights over land. Now, the land transfer act in Meghalaya would also come under scrutiny," she warned.

Meanwhile, Ampareen recalled that it was not only the parliament that had recognised the need of these special statuses for the small indigenous communities that are prevalent across the country but even the judiciary.

"Even the government alongside the judiciary had honoured the signatures and agreements. This is a big threat to the federal structure of the country," senior Congress leader added.