China’s PLA hands over Arunachal youth to India

Itanagar: China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has handed over Arunachalee youth Miram Taron whom it had allegedly abducted from Indian Territory in Upper Siang district nine days ago.

The PLA handed over Taron to the Indian Army on Thursday at the Wacha interaction point near Kibithu border in Anjaw district.

This is the same area where the PLA had handed over the five youths who were allegedly abducted by them in 2020 from the Sera-7 area of Nacho circle in Upper Subansiri district.

The information and pictures of Taron being handed over to the Indian Army was shared by Union Law Minister and Arunachal West MP Kiren Rijiju.

“The Chinese PLA handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh Shri Miram Taron to Indian Army at WACHA-DAMAI interaction point in Arunachal Pradesh today.  I thank our proud Indian Army for pursuing the case meticulously with PLA and safely securing our young boy back home,” Rijiju said in a tweet.

He earlier tweeted: “The Chinese PLA has handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh Shri Miram Taron to Indian Army. Due procedures are being followed including the medical examination.”

Army sources told EastMojo that Taron would have to go through some medical tests, especially for Covid-19.

“He would also go through a ‘basic questioning session’ during which he would be enquired about the treatment he received whilst he was under the PLA’s custody. He should be handed over to his family within 4-5 days from now,” the source said.  

Taron was allegedly taken captive by the PLA from Siyungla area of Bishing village on January 18 where he had gone hunting along with his friend Jhonny Yaying. 

Yaying had managed to escape the scene and later reported the incident to the authorities.      

The incident was later brought to light by Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao who also alleged that Taron had been abducted by the PLA from Indian territory.

Gao’s claim was also backed by Taron’s father and the locals of Jido village, who claimed that the area where Taron and his friend had gone hunting is the traditional hunting ground of the Adi people and was well inside Indian territory.

Following the incident, the Indian Army had sent a hotline message to its Chinese counterpart, to which the latter had on January 20, responded and confirmed that a boy had been found on their side.

The Indian Army had then shared personal details and photo of Taron to assist the Chinese side in corroborating his identity.

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