New Delhi, Jan 25: Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday appealed to the people to carefully make statements about abducted Arunachal Pradesh teenager Miram Taron, who was reportedly kidnapped by Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) a week ago from the Indian Territory.
The Indian Minister in a statement said: “We are constantly following the case from day one. I appeal to everyone to be cautious in making statements which are not based on facts because the safety and safe return of our Young Arunachal Pradesh youth is the priority.”
“Miram Taron, aged 19 years of Jido Village in Upper Siang District, was found missing on January 18 at Shiyung La in Bishing Area. Some people reported that Chinese PLA had taken him into their custody,” said Rijiju in his statement tagged with his twitter handle.
Indian Army following up the case with Chinese Army
He said that since the individual was missing from an area close to LAC (Line of Actual Control), Indian Army immediately approached Chinese side on January 19, asking for assistance in tracing and return of the individual, in case he had strayed into the Chinese territory or PLA has taken him in their custody.
“Chinese side assured that they would search for the individual and return him as per established protocol.”
“Later on January 20, the Chinese side intimated that they had found a boy on their side and requested for further details to establish the identity.”
“To assist the Chinese side in corroborating the identity, personal details and photo of the individual has been shared with the Chinese side by the Indian Army. Response from the Chinese side is awaited,” the Union Minister said.
Arunachal govt seeks Defence Ministry’s intervention
The Arunachal Pradesh government had also sought the Defence Ministry’s intervention to ensure the safe return of the youth.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu earlier said that the Defence Ministry through diplomatic channels took up the matter with the Chinese authority.
“I am hopeful that the youth would be released and return to his village soon,” the Chief Minister had told the media in Itanagar.
Abducted youth’s friend revealed PLA’s involvement
The Chinese Army reportedly abducted Tarom from the Indian Territory where China had constructed a 3-4 km road in 2018.
His friend, who managed to escape, reported the matter to the authorities and brought it to the notice of Tapir Gao, a BJP MP from the Arunachal East parliamentary constituency.
“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,” Tapir Gao had tweeted last week.
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His friend escaped from PLA and reported to the authorities.
All the agencies of Govt of India is requested to step up for his early release.@narendramodi @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @PemaKhanduBJP @ChownaMeinBJP @adgpi— Tapir Gao (@TapirGao) January 19, 2022
In September 2020, the Chinese PLA had kidnapped five boys from Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district before releasing them after about a week.
The villagers in the region are always forced to trek through the remote mountainous areas of Arunachal Pradesh due to the lack of proper roads.
Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080-km border with China.
