Those who were allegedly kidnapped by the Chinese army have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri

New Delhi: China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday handed over five youths, who went missing from Arunachal Pradesh, to the Indian authorities, army sources said. Reports claimed that the handover took place in the Chinese territory. Also Read - Chinese Army to Handover 5 Indian Nationals Who Went Missing From Arunachal on Saturday

Earlier on Friday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had informed that 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”, he wrote on the micro-blogging site. Also Read - 'Why Different Food For Jawans And Officers Stationed at Border', Asks Rahul at Defence Panel Meet

The incident of five missing youths came to light when two members from their group, who had gone for hunting in the jungle together, returned home and informed the families of the five that they had been whisked away by the Chinese troops from Sera-7, an Army patrol zone located about 12 km further north of Nacho, the last administrative circle along the McMahon Line and is around 120 km from the district headquarters Daporijo. Also Read - Ladakh Standoff: Indian Armed Forces Capable of Giving Befitting Reply, CDS Bipin Rawat at Defence Panel Meet

Those who were allegedly kidnapped by the Chinese army have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri.

On Monday, China brushed off questions over the whereabouts of the five youths and needled India, saying it has never recognised Arunachal Pradesh which it claims is part of south Tibet. “China’s position on the east 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 told 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 spokesperson said when asked about any updates about the missing Indian nationals.

The development comes at a time when the Indian army has enhanced its deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in view of the tense border situation with China in eastern Ladakh.

In March, a 21-year-old man was abducted by the PLA from Asapila sector near the McMahon Line. While his two friends managed to escape, Togley Sinkam was taken away at gunpoint, his family had said. He was released by the Chinese army after 19 days in captivity.

The Indian Army had on September 2 provided food, warm clothes and medical assistance to three Chinese citizens who had lost their way in sub-zero temperatures at an altitude of 17,500 feet in a border area in North Sikkim.

The Indian Army personnel deployed in the area also guided the Chinese citizens, including a woman, to return to the Chinese side and reach their destination.