GUWAHATI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday allayed fears about the revocation of special status to J&K under Article 370 setting the stage for a similar decision on Article 371, which contains special provisions for the tribal communities of the northeast and some other states.

Responding to doubts raised by the opposition in the Lok Sabha that the Centre might now tinker with Article 371, Shah said, “Article 370 cannot be compared to Article 371. Do not try to confuse the people…They are aware of the differences between the two. I want to assure Maharashtra , Gujarat , Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the Northeast that the Narendra Modi government has no intention of revoking Article 371. Please do not fall for rumours.”

In Nagaland, governor RN Ravi, who was until recently the deputy national security advisor, assured the people that they “don’t have to worry”. He termed Article 371A a “solemn commitment” to the people of Nagaland.

He added: “What is Article 371, the principle article? This provides for setting up development boards in regions such as Vidarbha , Marathwada, Kutch in Maharashtra and Gujarat. What is wrong here? Article 371A is for Nagaland, where the state’s religious or social practices, customary law and procedure will be decided by the state assembly. Similarly, Article 371B in Assam provides for constitution and properly functioning (autonomous) committees in the NC Hills, Dima Hasao and Bodo tribal areas. Why should we take out these provisions? These are in no way deterrent to the country’s unity.”

There are corresponding provisions for Manipur, Andhra, Mizoram, Arunachal, Goa and Karnataka. “These articles were incorporated into the Constitution to solve certain basic issues in these states,” Shah said.

