Stating that it has never recognised the “so-called Arunachal Pradesh”, China has dismissed concerns over the whereabouts of the five persons from a village in the northeastern state allegedly abducted by China’s People’s Liberation Army(PLA) which it claims is part of south Tibet.
“China’s position on the eastern 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 said during 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 Chinese spokesperson was quoted saying when asked about the missing Indian nationals.
In a statement of condemnation, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) expressed their anguish over the Chinese statement terming the state as part of “South Tibet.”
According to the union, the people of the state outrightly reject the “dubious statement” by the Chinese Foreign Ministry dubbing their state as part of ‘South Tibet’.
“We strongly condemn such statements and advise the Chinese government to refrain from such notoriety,” the students’ union said.
The five missing villagers hailed from the Nacho area of Upper Subansiri district and were engaged as porters and guides by the Indian army. They were part of a seven-member group, which went for hunting in a jungle. The youths were reported missing by their families through social media last Friday.
Meanwhile, Congress MP and deputy leader in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safe return of the five youth of Arunachal Pradesh and to strengthen security along the border region.
“I am writing to you to register my grave concern regarding the condition of the five young men from Arunachal Pradesh that have gone missing from the Upper Subansiri district during a hunting exercise. Members of the family have made statements alleging that they have been abducted, wherein they hold the Chinese People’s Liberation Army as the party responsible for the said abduction. In light of rising aggression by the Chinese in the Ladakh region, such an action in the north east is alarming and must be dealt with more sternly,” Gogoi, according to a report by Times of India, wrote in his letter to the Singh.
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