ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Sep 12:  After almost 10 days of suspense-filled waiting, the five youths from Nacho bordering China in Upper Subansiri district who were allegedly abducted by the People's Liberation Army on September 2 last near Sera-7 area along the McMahon Line finally returned back to Indian soil on Saturday.

Following all protocols, the PLA handed over the youths at Kibithu in Anjaw district, which is one of the closest Border Personnel Meeting points along the Damai area of China. Indian Army officially took over the five individuals in its custody after completing necessary formalities and they will now be quarantined for 14 days as per Covid-19 protocols and thereafter handed over to their family members, informed PRO Defence, Lieutenant Col Harsh Wardhan Pande.

While stating that Arunachal Pradesh is known for rich natural heritage and its adventurous people are fond of exploring nature for medicinal herbs and traditional hunting involving weeks of sojourn in dense jungles in remote areas, the PRO observed that at times the youths step over to the other side of the LAC inadvertently. “Indian Army has always been proactive in tracing the lost locals and helping them return home. Three such incidents took place in the current year in Upper Subansiri and West Siang districts including the latest one and all such individuals have been brought back home safely after consistent efforts and coordination by the Indian Army,” he said.

The incident came to light when two members of the group of youths who went for hunting in the jungles returned home and informed the families of the five that they had been whisked away by the PLA troops from Sera-7, an army patrol zone located about 12 km further north of Nacho, which is the last Administrative Circle along the McMahon Line and is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo. The kidnapped youths were identified as Toch Singkam, Prasad Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Bakar and Ngaru Diri.

Indian Army approached the PLA over the hotline seeking whereabouts of the missing youths and on September 8 last confirmation came from the Chinese side that they had been traced and were in their possession.