ITANAGAR, 20 Jan: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Thursday vehemently condemned the reported abduction of one Miram Taron (17) by China’s People Liberation Army (PLA) on 18 January from inside the Indian territory in Upper Siang district.
AAPSU president Hawa Bagang stated that the nefarious activities of the PLA across the border have not stopped.
“Earlier, such incident of abduction of five youths was in the news with their subsequent denial about it,” the AAPSU said, and condemned the repeated intrusion of the PLA into Arunachal’s territory “to create tension by their malicious intentions.”
Demanding Taron’s safe return, the AAPSU also appealed to the central government to initiate appropriate action for the safe return of the youth.
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) also on Thursday sought the central and the state governments’ intervention to ensure safe return of the youth.
Addressing media persons at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan here, APCC working president Bosiram Siram expressed concern over repeated abduction of Arunachalee youths by the PLA along the line of actual control (LAC).
Siram said that “the government of India has to ensure the safety, security and protection of the people living along the LAC.”
“Strong opposition to PLA incursion across the LAC is a testimony of people’s patriotism living in border areas, and the government should ensure their safety,” Siram said.
Senior Congress leader Ninong Ering also raised serious concern over the abduction. “Last time, a group of boys were abducted from Nacho in Upper Subansiri district by the PLA. This kind of repeated abduction of Arunachalee citizens from inside Indian territory by the PLA is a matter of concern for every Arunachalee,” Ering said through a video message put up on Twitter.
Expressing concern for the safety of the abducted youth, he urged the defence and the external affairs ministries to look into it.
“China should return the boy safe and sound,” he added.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the reported abduction, and said that the prime minister’s silence showed that “he does not care.”
“A few days before Republic Day, an Indian has been kidnapped by China. We are with the family of Miram Taron and will not lose hope, will not give up,” he said. (With PTI input)
