Itanagar: The anguished plea of Dishanso Chikro echoes across the remote landscapes of Anjaw district: “We are still waiting and hoping that my brother and cousin are all right.”
For nearly two years, this desperate hope has been the only solace for Dishanso and his family, who have been grappling with the heart-wrenching disappearance of Batelum Tikro (35) and his cousin Bainsi Manyu (37).
On August 19, 2022, Tikro and Manyu embarked on what was supposed to be a routine journey to collect medicinal herbs from the high-altitude Chaglagam area, a region that borders China. They ventured into the wilderness with the promise of returning home with valuable herbs for their community, but they never came back.
The last sighting of the men was on August 24, 2022, by villagers who spotted them in Delta 7, on the path towards Hadigra Pass.
As the days have turned into months and then years, the Chikro family’s hopes have been punctuated by silence. Dishanso Chikro’s words reflect a family’s collective sorrow and relentless hope, a hope that their loved ones are safe despite fears that they may be held by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), which has yet to acknowledge their presence.
The region where Tikro and Manyu went missing is no stranger to tension.
Source from Chaglagam have highlighted an unsettling pattern: an increase in PLA incursions into Indian territory, particularly during the summer months when the melting snow allows for easier movement.
“This heightened activity has become alarmingly frequent over the past five to six years, far surpassing previous patterns,” the source said.
In 2020, a similar situation unfolded when five Arunachalee youths were abducted from Indian territory, sparking fears that the PLA’s activities could once again be linked to the disappearance of Tikro and Manyu.
These youths were taken from approximately 50-60 km within Indian land, further intensifying concerns about the safety of those who venture into these disputed areas.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, in August 2022, videos surfaced showing the Chinese military engaged in construction work near Hadigara-Delta 6, just 50 km from Indian territory. This coincided with the timeframe of Tikro and Manyu’s disappearance, making their case all the more perplexing and tragic.
Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao has been a beacon of hope for the families, persistently engaging with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Gao has reported that both ministries are working diligently to address the situation. However, despite these efforts, the families continue to wait for a breakthrough.
“I have already written to the External Affairs ministry and Home ministry to look on this matter. Both the ministries have given me verbal assurances that they are trying their level best,” Gao said.
The MP also said that the Indian Army during a flag meeting at Walong raised this issue with the Chinese army, but the Chinese army did not give a positive response.
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