ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Sep 8: In a significant development, day after the Spokesperson of the Chinese  Foreign Ministry denied any information about the five missing  youths from Arunachal Pradesh, today  it has been confirmed that all the five youths allegedly abducted by  PLA are in the care of Chinese authority.
Confirming the report,  PRO, Defence, India Army  Lieutenant  Col Harsh Wardhan Pande stated, "As a result of the persistent efforts of the Indian Army five missing hunters from the Indian side of McMahon Line  ( LAC) in Upper Subansiri, who had inadvertently crossed over to the other side on September last, were traced."
He further added, the Chinese Army on Tuesday (8 September) responded on the hotline message and confirmed that the missing Indians have been found on their side. Formalities for their early transfer is being coordinated with the Chinese Army.
 Meanwhile, Union Minister for Sports cum BJP’s MP from Arunachal (West) Kiren Rijiju has also confirmed the report through his official twitter handle.  "China's PLA has responded to the hotline message sent by the Indian Army. They have confirmed that the missing youths from Arunachal Pradesh have been found on their side. Further modalities to handover the persons to our authorities is being worked out," he tweeted. 
State Home Minister Bamang Felix while speaking to the media today said, "State police has been moved to the ground to get first-hand information and the Indian Army is doing its part to trace the locals actively."  As soon as we get any updates of the incident it will be shared, added Felix.
Expressing his concern over the incident, Member of Rajya Sabha, Nabam Rebia said “By kidnapping or any other means,  we don’t know how PLA  took our local youths, but they need to release them without any harm, " Rebia said. 
The incident of five missing youths came to light when two members from their group, who had gone for hunting in the jungle together, returned home and informed the families of the five that they had been whisked away by the Chinese troops from Sera-7, an Army patrol zone located about 12 km further north of Nacho.
Nacho is the last administrative circle along the McMahon Line and is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo. Those who were allegedly kidnapped by the Chinese army have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasad Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri.

On Monday, China brushed off questions over the whereabouts of the five youths and needled India, saying it has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh which it claims is part of south Tibet.
"China's position on the east sector of the China-India boundary, or Zangnan (the southern part of China's Xizang (Tibet) ), is consistent and clear," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a media briefing in Beijing, adding the Chinese government has never recognized the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh".
"I'm not aware of the situation you mentioned," the spokesperson said when asked about any updates about the missing Indian nationals. In March, a 21-year-old man was abducted by the PLA from Asapila sector near the McMahon Line.
While his two friends managed to escape, Togley Sinkam was taken away at gunpoint, his family had said.
He was released by the Chinese army after 19 days in captivity. With PTI inputs

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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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