Hotline message sent to PLA': Govt on 'abduction' of 5 Arunachal Pradesh locals amid tension with China

GUWAHATI: Following the alleged kidnapping of five people by the Chinese military, a police team from Arunachal Pradesh has reached the village in Nacho area to which they belong. Union minister of state for sports Kiren Rijiju said the Army has sent a hotline message to PLA and their response is awaited.

Rijiju, the Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal West, posted a social media message: “With regards to the reported abduction of 5 Arunachalees by the Chinese PLA at location beyond Medamba Rai/Meyaba Rai border area, the Indian Army has already sent a hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point opposite Arunachal Pradesh. Response is awaited.” Nacho in Upper Subansiri district is the last administrative circle along the McMahon line. Nacho is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo.

A senior police officer told ET: “A fact-finding team which started on Saturday has reached the village and talked to the villagers. From there, they have started moving towards the forward areas.” Two people who were with the five who were allegedly abducted have managed to escape.


Superintendent of Police Taru Gussar told ET: “Based on social media and media reports we have started acting. A team was sent to the area to ascertain the facts. We expect some information by Monday.”

Those allegedly kidnapped have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri –– all of whom are from the Tagin community. In March this year, an Arunachali youth had crossed over to the Chinese side and was released after 19 days in captivity. BJP Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Tapir Gao, had earlier tweeted “5 Tagin youths have reportedly been abducted by China’s #PLA from Sera7 area below the McMahon Line under Indian Territory in Upper Subansiri in Arunachal since 3rd Sept. Similar incident happened in March. Time to take a stand against #CCP @narendramodi @rajnathsingh @AmitShah”.

Arunachal Congress questioned the government’s silence. Villagers had claimed that these people were abducted while they were out hunting, it said. “Why was no official report issued? China has been resorting to repeated aggressive activities in Anjaw, Upper Siang, Upper Subansiri, Dibang Valley and Tawang districts.”