Indian Army has approached its Chinese counterparts on Arunachal Pradesh border on the Line of Actual Control after reports of five local youth being missing, emerged.
Official sources said that the Indian Army was approached by the locals and family members of missing persons in Nacho on September 5. Family members gave a letter to the Army stating that the missing boys had gone for an outing, possibly to hunt, towards Tungdhara and have not come back. They also said that they fear that the missing boys might have unintentionally strayed across the LAC and may have been apprehended by Chinese People's Liberation Army. They have requested the Army and District administration for help.
Responding to the situation, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "The Indian Army has already sent hotline message to the counterpart PLA establishment at the border point in Arunachal Pradesh. Response is awaited."
Official sources claim that Tungdhara is about 180km from Nacho township, and is near the LAC. It is bereft of any population and rich in wildlife, and is, therefore, popular among local hunters.
The boys had, reportedly, left their homes on August 20 and were reported missing by the family members when they did not return by September 3. The Army has launched a search operation in the area.
Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering brought up the issue on Friday by alleging that the youth were abducted by the PLA.
"Five people from Upper Subansiri district of our state Arunachal Pradesh have reportedly been abducted by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). Few months earlier, a similar incident happened. A befitting reply must be given to #PLA and #CCPChina. @PMOIndia,” he tweeted.
