After the initial denial, China has finally admitted that the five youths from Arunachal Pradesh who went missing are now in their custody. Although there were little doubts that the missing youths had been made captive by the PLA and there was no surprise at all of the Chinese denial, what has dumbfounded many will be its 180 degree change of stance within 24 hours. While there can be various explanations for this ‘magnanimity’, a possible reason might be that China, perhaps, doesn’t want the issue to culminate into an international discussion at a time when it is already sidelined due to its multiple faults. The focus now shifts to the central question- within what time the physical release of the captives will take place?  It will act as an effective balm to the current tension-filled atmosphere the two countries have engaged themselves in, if the release is made early and kept fully unconditional. It can be remembered that in a similar incident in March this year, a 21-year-old man from the state who was abducted at gunpoint by the PLA from the Asapila sector near McMahon line was released only after spending 19 days in Chinese custody.

China’s frustration regarding Arunachal is tellingly evident. For long it has been dreaming to grab this piece of land, which is exquisite in terms of natural beauty and saturated with natural resources that can be churned into mind-boggling economic dividends. While by nature China inculcates an expansionist attitude with entire South Asia in its radar, in case of Arunachal, it’s the irresistible lure of this unexplored wealth which is the cause of this overt ambition. If Arunachal is within grip, it will take little time to wrest control over the entire NE- is the Part II of the notorious game plan. China’s ‘Arunachal obsession’ can better be understood if analysed in the light of the 2017 Doklam flare up. As this area (Doklam) is too close to the narrow Siliguri corridor or the ‘chicken's neck’ that connects the NE states with rest of India, a capture will smoothen the way to the larger aim of getting hold of the full of Eastern India. While Doklam has turned out to be a misadventure, Arunachal revisits China's territorial dreams again and again.  

China must get rid of this idiocy at once, since all Arunachalees, cutting across the vast number of tribes and sub-tribes, are fiercely Indians. No coercion or temptation of any kind can rob this exemplary brand of nationalism.

Forget Arunachal and ensure quick release of the state’s youths- this must be the appropriate message for Beijing.  

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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