Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has asked the Central government to immediately come out with a proper mechanism to end the repeated abduction of youths by the Chinese army from the international borders of the country, especially from Arunachal Pradesh.
“China has always been a threat to our country, especially to Arunachal Pradesh. The BJP-led government at the Centre should stop giving verbal assurances and adopt a practical approach when it comes to ensuring the safety, security and territorial integrity of Arunachal Pradesh,” APCC working president Bosiram Siram said on Thursday.
He was addressing a press conference at the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here.
Reacting to the alleged abduction of an Arunachalee youth by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) from Upper Siang district, Siram said “the government should immediately act on the matter and ensure the safe return of the boy.”
The abducted youth has been identified as Miram Taron (17), a native of Zido village in Upper Siang district.
This youth was taken captive from the Siyungla area of Bishing village where he had gone hunting along with his friend.
His friend Jhonny Yaying (27) managed to escape the scene and later reported the incident to authorities.
Siram said this is not the first instance when a youth from the state has been abducted by the Chinese PLA.
“In September 2020, five youths were abducted by the Chinese army from Sera-7 area of Nacho circle in Upper Subansiri district. This has to stop,” the Congress leader said.
AAPSU condemns abduction:
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has also condemned the reported abduction of Taron.
AAPSU president Hawa Bagang stated that the nefarious activities of the Chinese army across the border have not stopped and earlier incidents of abduction of the five youths were in the news but with their subsequent denial about it.
“AAPSU condemns the repeated incursions of the PLA in Arunachal Pradesh territory and efforts to create tension by their malicious intentions. The union also demands the safe return of the Arunachalee youth and appeals to the Central government to take appropriate steps for the same,” Bagang said.
CM’s assurance:
Meanwhile, chief minister Pema Khandu said that the state government is aware of the incident and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has already initiated diplomatic talks to bring the youth back home.
“I am very optimistic that the boy will be released in a few days,” Khandu said.
