Shillong: Feb 19: UDP senior working president Bindo M Lanong today said that Article 371 of the Indian Constitution is applicable in Meghalaya.

“Article 371 of the Indian Constitution is applicable to the state of Meghalaya,” Lanong told journalists after releasing of the party’s election manifesto here on Monday.

He said that the statement (of other political leaders) that if the state is included under Article 371, the autonomous district councils (ADCs) will ceased to exit is wrong.

It may be mentioned that the HSPDP which is the alliance partner of the UDP have been demanding for inclusion of Meghalaya under Article 371 of the Constitution.

Lanong said, “I appeal to everybody not to touch on anything that they don’t understand.”

Asked, he however said that mining has to be under MMDR Act and that no states can go on its own.

Meanwhile on the other hand, UDP chief Donkupar Roy however said that the party is not committed to demand for inclusion of Meghalaya under Article 371.