In the wake of demand for “Mon Autonomous Council” similar to Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, Arunachal groups have started demanding for their autonomy. However, creation of such councils is not possible for Arunachal as it currently falls under 5^th Schedule. Hence, the demand for 6^th schedule status has started in the political corridors of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Arunachal Pradesh unit of National People’s Party (NPP) on Wednesday said the demand for Mon Autonomous Council “should not be a cause of political unrest in the state as it has no constitutional standing”.

“Arunachal is a 5th Schedule state so the MAC demand has no political standing,” the NPP said

The party said “the MAC encompassing Tawang and West Kameng districts and Patkai Autonomous Council (PAC) comprising Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts were floated in December 2003 to topple the then government headed by chief minister Gegong Apang.”

Problems with the current provisions in Article 371H, under which Arunachal is placed currently, is silent on various issues like the rights of the indigenous people over their land, water and forest. Also there are no special rights for the indigenous communities unlike the Sixth Schedule

The Sixth Schedule has certain features like concepts of constitutional and legislative subjects that are exclusive to local governments.

An autonomous district council under 6th schedule will give a greater role in directing administrative requirements without depending on the Central State structure.

Article 371(A) states that no act of Parliament shall apply to the State of Nagaland in respect of the religious or social practices of the Nagas, its customary law and procedure, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law and ownership and transfer of land and its resources.