The state police on Saturday announced that it is launching a probe following the report of abduction of five people in Upper Subansiri district by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
The youths had allegedly gone hunting in a forest along the Indo-China border when they were kidnapped by the PLA.
The incident comes amidst the report of violent faceoff between the armies of India and China at eastern Ladakh. Many security experts have warned that Ladakh might be a distraction and the real motive of the Chinese is to capture land in Arunachal Pradesh.
The abduction is the second such incident reported from Upper Subansiri district.
In April this year, another youth was arrested by the PLA at Asapila area in the district after he reportedly crossed over and into Chinese territory. The tribal people for centuries have hunted in these jungles without worrying about the international boundaries.
Also, the line of actual control (LAC) is not properly demarcated, which makes things more difficult for people living along the border.
In the meantime, the Government of India should take up the issue of the abduction of the five youths with its Chinese counterpart. The safety and security of five youths are of utmost priority to every Arunachalee.
The people of the state living along the LAC for years have been the backbone of Indian security personnel helping them in various ways. They are the natural barriers against the nefarious design of China. It is time to pay them back.
If the Government of India fails to ensure early release of five youths, it is going to hurt the sentiments of all Arunachalees and particularly the villagers living along the border.