China to hand over five Arunachal youths on Saturday, says Rijiju

Tribune News Service
Kolkata, September 11

Five Indian youths taken into custody by the Chinese PLA from India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh are likely to be handed over to the Indian Army on Saturday by their Chinese counterparts.

“The Chinese PLA has confirmed to Indian Army to hand over the youths from Arunachal Pradesh to our side. The handing over is likely to take place anytime tomorrow i.e. 12th September 2020 at a designated location,” Kiren Rijiju, union minister of state for sports and youth welfare, who is also a Member of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh, said in a tweet.

The boys, who belong to Upper Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, were hired by the Indian Army as porters. The youths were picked up by the PLA on September 3 when they were returning to their villages from the LAC.

The Chinese had initially feigned ignorance about the missing boys but the PLA later confirmed their presence when the army contacted them through hotline.

In March this year also the PLA had picked up a man from Asapila sector in Arunachal Pradesh. He was released by PLA after 19 days of captivity.