OUR CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: The whereabouts of 17-year-old Miram Taron, who was allegedly abducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on January 18 from Upper Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh, is yet to be established, a senior district official informed on Friday.
Taron, a native of Zido village in the district, was allegedly kidnapped from Siyungla area of Bishing village on January 18 when he went into the jungle for hunting with his friend Jhonny Yaying (27).
"Taron along with Yaying had gone hunting at the Lungta Jor area near Bishing village in the district and it was almost dark when the Chinese soldiers surrounded them. While Yaying managed to escape, the whereabouts of Taron is yet to be established," Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Shaswat Saurabh said.
"The operation area falls under the Indian Army so the matter will be dealt with at a higher level. From our side, we have already apprised the higher authorities," the Deputy Commissioner said.
Saurabh added that the Indian Army already conveyed the matter to its Chinese counterpart and requested them to trace the youth and return him.
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.
State Congress MLA and former Union Minister Ninong Ering has appealed to the Centre to ensure the safe return of Taron.
"We have nothing to do with China and both the ministries of External Affairs and Defence should take immediate and appropriate action so as to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future," Ering said.
Bishing is the last Indian village near the Indo-Sino border located along the left bank of the river Siang. The village is around 260 kms from Yingkiong, the district headquarters.
China's Foreign Ministry, however, on Thursday said that it was not aware of the incident in which the Chinese PLA reportedly abducted a 17-year-old youth from Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Siang district, but said the PLA controls the borders and cracks down on "illegal entry and exit activities."
Meanwhile, 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 the state.
"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.
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