5 Arunachal youth ‘abducted’ by Chinese PLA handed over to Indian Army

New Delhi: Five Arunachal Pradesh youth who were allegedly abducted by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were released at Sino-Indian border on Saturday.

Indian Army took over all five individuals at Kibitu today after completing all formalities.

“The individuals will now be quarantined for 14 days as per COVID-19 protocol and will thereafter be handed over to their family members,” PRO Defence, Tezpur said.

Indian Army took over all five individuals (missing from Arunachal Pradesh) at Kibitu today after completing all formalities. Individuals will now be quarantined for 14 days as per COVID-19 protocol and will thereafter be handed over to their family members: PRO Defence, Tezpur https://t.co/4mI5xpxAiu

— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2020

The development comes amid a continuing stand-off between India and China over the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

These 5 people had ‘gone missing’ near the McMohan Line in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri region. They inadvertently strayed across the LAC recently.

“Indian Army approached PLA on the hotline to trace and return them. On September 8, the response on the hotline confirmed that the missing individuals had been traced,” said a Defence Spokesperson.

Rijiju informed of Chinese handover yesterday

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju had said that the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) is likely to handover the five Indian nationals, who were missing from Arunachal Pradesh, to Indian authorities on Saturday.

“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,” Rijiju said in a tweet.