Army asks PLA to ensure safe return of ‘abducted’ Arunachal boy

With the Indian Army already mounting pressure on People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to “locate and return” the Arunachal youth who is said to have been “abducted” by the PLA personnel allegedly from inside Indian territory, India is also set to initiate diplomatic efforts to ensure that the 17-year-old Miram Taron returns home safely.

MEA sources told The Daily Guardian, “Indian ambassador to China has been alerted to the goings-on, and the Indian embassy in Beijing is keeping a close watch over the entire development. Diplomatic channel will be activated even as the need arises.” “However, the MEA leadership is hopeful that the issue will be resolved at the military level itself, given the manner in which the Indian Army has quickly initiated action to secure the release of the Arunachal Pradesh youth,” said a diplomat.

“Indian Army has activated the hotline with the PLA over the report that the Chinese Army has kidnapped a 17-year-old boy from Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district.” An official told TDG, “It’s good that the Indian Army swiftly contacted the PLA through a hotline asking the Chinese Army to locate the youth and return him as per the established protocol. MEA is in touch with the Defence Ministry to get the update related to PLA action. High level diplomatic contacts will be established with China once the situation warrants.” “Indian Embassy in Beijing is also fully alert and will contact the Chinese officials,” said the diplomat.

“Key details regarding the incident have been collected and shared with the higher-ups in the MEA and MoD. Moreover, the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has also been updated on the development,” sources said.

The incident came to light when BJP MP Tapir Gao on Wednesday said that PLA had abducted a 17-year-old boy from inside Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh. Taron’s friend Johny Yaiving, who managed to escape, is said to have informed the authorities about the “kidnapping by the PLA”.

“Regarding the incident of the missing youth named Miram Taron from Arunachal Pradesh, it is informed that on receipt of the information, the Indian Army immediately contacted the PLA through an established mechanism of hotline saying that an individual, who was collecting herbs and hunting, has lost his way and cannot be found. Assistance from PLA has been sought to locate the individual on their side and return him as per established protocol,” MoD sources said.