Customary Dispute Resolution and the Modern Legal Framework among the Mossang Sub-Tribe of the Tangsa in Arunachal Pradesh: Coexistence and Challenges

Tribal society in Arunachal Pradesh has traditionally governed itself through tribe-based indigenous institutions rooted in customary law and practices. Among the Mossang sub-tribe of the Tangsa, the Khapho-Rung functions as the principal customary institution regulating social life and resolving disputes. Deriving its legitimacy and authority from shared values, traditions, and culture, the institution has historically delivered justice with an emphasis on the restoration of social harmony and cohesion. However, with the gradual expansion of the state and the introduction of formal legal institutions, a dual legal system has emerged, resulting in legal pluralism where customary institutions and the modern legal framework coexist. This coexistence is not free from challenges, as the two systems at times complement and at other times collide with one another. Against this backdrop, the paper examines the customary dispute resolution system among the Mossang sub-tribe, analyses the interface between customary institutions and the modern legal framework, and identifies the challenges involved in their coexistence within tribal society