Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Thursday assured the Assembly that the indigenous system of traditional council (chieftainship), instrumental in promoting harmonious integration among people, would be retained.

Responding to a question by BJP member Wanglin Lowangdon, the chief of Borduria village in Tirap district, Khandu said the chieftainship system prevails in Tirap, Longding and Namsai districts. The respective district administrations give due respect and importance to the chiefs and their assistance is sought whenever required, he said.

"The chiefs help the administration in maintaining law and order and assist the district administration in solving various problems related to land matters and other administrative issues," he said.

Khandu said the chieftainship system would continue to be an effective medium of communication and link between the administration and the villages. PTI