India and China on Wednesday held talks on the hotline regarding a teenager from Arunachal Pradesh now in the custody of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). He is likely to be handed over to the Indian Army after the weather improves.
17-year-old boy Miram Taron was reported missing on Tuesday last week. One version claimed he was abducted by the PLA, while the other version said he lost his way in the thick jungle while collecting herbs and hunting. The Indian Army contacted the PLA the next day and the Chinese informed the boy was in their custody.
Union Minister of Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday China has indicated the release of the boy and will soon share the date and time. He said China has also suggested a place of release and said the delay was due to bad weather conditions on their side. “Hotline exchanged on Republic Day by Indian Army with Chinese PLA. The PLA responded positively indicating handing over of our national and suggested a place of release. They are likely to intimate date and time soon. Delay attributed to bad weather conditions on their side,” Rijiju said. The Minister, who hails from Arunachal Pradesh, also said earlier China 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 further corroborating the identity, personal details and photos of the individual have been shared with the Chinese side by the Indian Army.
“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 a priority,” Rijiju said.
Taron’s friend Johny Yaiying, who was with him in the forest, told the authorities that PLA had abducted his friend, State MP Tapir Gao had said last week.
The MP said the incident took place near the place where Tsangpo river enters India in Arunachal Pradesh. Tsangpo is called as Siang in Arunachal Pradesh and Brahmaputra in Assam.
In September 2020, the PLA had detained five youths from Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district and released them after about a week.