ITANAGAR: The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) that handed over Arunachal Pradesh youth Miram Taron to the Indian Army on January 27 – nine days after he was allegedly abducted, had tortured the teenager while he was in its custody, Lok Sabha member Tapir Gao claimed on Wednesday.
Gao, who represents the Arunachal East constituency, said that the PLA had tortured Miram, and kept him blindfolded, tied his hands, gave electric shocks, adding the teenager was also subjected to other inhuman treatments.
"Violating the international law, the PLA cruelly tortured Miram Taron in their custody. Earlier, several PLA personnel, Chinese citizens including a woman were captured in the Indian territory, but the Indian Army immediately handed over them to the Chinese authority with full dignity," the parliamentarian told IANS.
He said that the Indian authority must look into the matter and take appropriate action and resolve the border dispute with China.
"The Indian border villagers in Arunachal Pradesh went to the remote mountainous areas for hunting, collection of medicinal plants, other herbs and daily needs from the forested areas of the Indian territory but the PLA often kidnapped them and took them to their areas. These must be stopped," the BJP MP said.
Earlier, Miriam's father Opang Taron also made similar allegations, saying his son seemed to be "mentally disturbed".
"Till minutes before Miram was handed over to the Indian Army, the PLA kept him blindfolded with his hands tied," Opang told the media.
"One day he (Miram) was kicked in the back thrice by the PLA personnel. But he was provided food properly," Opang added.
A resident of Zido village in Upper Siang district, Miram, 19, went missing while hunting from Shiyung La in the Bishing area of the Indian territory. (IANS)
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