Chinese PLA returns the strayed Indian youth from Arunachal Pradesh

The Indian boy, Miram Taron from Arunachal Pradesh who crossed over to Chinese side has been handed over to Indian side, after providing humanitarian aid, the Chinese military said on Thursday.

Prasar Bharati Beijing Correspondent reports that WeChat account of Western Theatre Command of PLA also confirms the release of the boy.

Miram, 19, was found missing on 18th January at Shiyung La in Bishing area. Since the incident occurred near LAC, Indian Army immediately approached Chinese side on 19th January asking for assistance in tracing and return of the individual in case he strayed into Chinese side or PLA had taken him into their custody.

Chinese side assured that they would search for the individual and return him as per established protocol. On 20th January, Chinese side intimated that they had found a boy on their side and both the sides later coordinated to ascertain his identity. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted on Wednesday about hotline exchange on Republic Day by Indian Army with Chinese PLA. The minister said in his tweet that the PLA responded positively indicating handing over of the Indian national.

The Indian personnel was found by the Chinese border defense troops in a recent patrol in Medog County of Xizang, China, Senior Colonel Long Shaohua, a spokesperson at the Chinese People's Liberation Army Western Theater Command, said in a statement released on Thursday.

According to relevant regulations on border management and control, the Chinese border defense troops carried out a routine inquiry and an epidemic prevention quarantine, and provided humanitarian aid, Long said.

The Indian military sent a request to the Chinese side for assistance in searching for the person through the border defense hotline. The two sides communicated through border defense meeting channels, Long said, noting that the Indian has already been turned over to the Indian side.