Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said provisions of Article 371H will continue to be in force in the state.
“It has been categorically assured in Parliament,” Khandu said after unfurling the national flag and taking the salute at a parade.
Khandu said that the key objective of special provisions for some states, including Arunachal Pradesh, in the Article 371 was to meet the unique needs, protect the economic and cultural interests, combat local challenges and safeguard customary laws of the region.
He said comparing Article 371 with Article 370 of the Constitution is primarily divisive in nature.
Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah for the decision to abrogate Article 370, Khandu said it would help integrate the people of J&K with other parts of the nation.
Khandu said his government had brought about systematic, structural and transformational changes in the governance to achieve an accelerated, balanced and inclusive economic growth.
He urged people to resolve to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and unemployment in two years, when independent India would turn 75.
“We must pledge to connect each village and habitation in the state with roads and provide home to each poor family,” the chief minister said.