New Delhi: The Chinese Army has reportedly abducted an Arunachal Pradesh teenager from the Indian territory where China had constructed 3-4 km road in 2018. His friend, who managed to escape, reported the matter to the authorities and brought it to the attention of Tapir Gao, an MP from Arunachal Pradesh.
Gao said that the incident took place near the place where Tsangpo river enters India in Arunachal Pradesh. Tsangpo is called as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam.
Tapir Gao tweeted: "Chinese #PLA has abducted Sh Miram Taron, 17 years of Zido village on Tuesday from inside Indian territory, Lungta Jor area (China built 3-4 kms road inside India in 2018) under Siyungla area (Bishing village) of Upper Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. His friend escaped from the PLA and reported to the authorities. All the agencies of the Central government are requested to step up for his early release."
The MP has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, and the Indian Army to ensure the early release of the abducted Indian boy.
Recently, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs had altered names of 15 places in Arunachal pradesh, which was rejected by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs which said that such a move by Beijing cannot alter the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India.
Indian Army seeks assistance from PLA
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has sought assistance of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) to locate missing boy Miram Taron on their side and return him as per established protocol, sources in defence establishment said on Thursday.
Sources in defence establishment said on Thursday that when the Indian Army received the information about Taron, it immediately contacted the PLA through established mechanism of hotline informing that an individual, who was collecting herbs and hunting, has lost his way and cannot be found.
In September 2020, the PLA had abducted five youths from Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district and released them after about a week.
The latest incident came at a time when the Indian Army continues to be engaged in a stand-off with PLA in eastern Ladakh since April 2020.
There have been 14 round of military-level talks between India and China to resolve the standoff. However, disengagement process is yet to be done in areas of Hot Springs, Depsang bulge and Demchok in eastern Ladakh.
Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
India shares a 3,400 km-long LAC with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.
Rahul slams Centre
Meanwhile, the Congress has slammed the government for inaction in the entire episode.
Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday tweeted in Hindi, "Just days ahead of Republic day the Chinese have abducted an Indian citizen, we are with the family of Meeram Taron, and we will not lose hope and will not accept defeat. But Prime Minister's silence is his statement that it does not bother him."
Congress MLA Nenong Ering too brought to the notice of the government and said, "It's shocking that CCP China's PLA abducted innocent youth from Arunachal Pradesh."
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
