Army calls PLA to trace missing boy

Chinese side contacted via hotline, asked to send back Arunachal youth

A day after BJP MP from Arunachal Tapir Gao alleged that China’s People’s Liberation Army had kidnapped a 17-yearold youth from Upper Siang district, sources in the defence and security establishments said that the Indian Army had contacted the PLA in a bid to locate him.

“On receipt of the information, the Indian Army immediately contacted the PLA through the established hotline mechanism to inform them that an individual, who was collecting herbs and hunting, had lost his way and cannot be found,” one source said. They added that assistance from the PLA had been sought to locate the individual on their side and return him as per the established protocol.

It is significant that BJP MP Tapir Gao, representing eastern Arunachal Pradesh, claimed Wednesday that the PLA had abducted an Arunachal citizen, identified as 17year-old Miram Taron, on January 18 from inside Indian territory from Lungta Jor area in Upper Siang district of Arunachal.

Mr Gao told this newspaper that Miram, along with his friend Jhonny Yaying, was roaming in the deep forest to collect natural herbs. “Around 6.30 pm on the evening of January 18, the PLA, who were deep inside Indian territory, tried to abduct both boys. However, Jhonny managed to escape from the site but the PLA abducted Miram Taron,” the MP said.

He said Jhonny, who reached Tuting, the nearest circle headquarters, on Wednesday, informed villagers and the authorities about the incident. Both Jhonny and Miram belong to Zido village under Upper Siang district. Saying that the area from where the abduction took place falls well inside Indian territory, Mr Gao said he had raised the matter with the highest authorities in New Delhi as well as in the state. “All the agencies of Govt of India are requested to step up for his early release,” he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also raised the issue of Mr Taron and said he was with the family. “We are with the family of Miram Taron and will not give up hope, will not give up,” he said. He also questioned PM Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue, saying that this only showed that Mr Modi “does not care”.