China reacts to Arunachal youth kidnap charge: 'Army controls border...'

A day after a BJP lawmaker alleged that the Chinese army had abducted a teenager from Arunachal Pradesh, the Chinese government reacted to the accusation.

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry adopted an offensive stance, claiming he's not aware of this particular case but the Chinese army combats illegal entry and exit in accordance with law. Zhao Lijian said, "I don't have any information about the situation. I would like to emphasize that the southern part of Tibet is an inalienable part of China's territory. China is firmly opposed to India's illegal occupation of southern Tibetan area of China." He added that the Chinese army "controls the border and combats illegal entry and exit in accordance with law".

ALSO WATCH | Chinese Army abducts boy from inside Indian territory in Arunachal: MP Tapir Gao

The comments from Beijing came after reports suggested that Indian Army personnel had contacted their Chinese counterparts to raise the case.
The Indian Army had reportedly sought Chinese soldiers' help in locating the 17-year-old named Miram Taron who might have gotten lost while hunting.

BJP MP from Arunachal (East) Tapir Gao had claimed that Chinese soldiers had tried kidnap two youngsters. While one of them escaped, the other was abducted.

Meanwhile, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu said that the Ministry of Defence was working on the case and he was hopeful of the youth's swift return. "Ministry of Defence, through its diplomatic channels, has started talking (with China). I'm very optimistic that the young man will be released soon," he said.

Similar incidents reportedly took place in 2020, with the Chinese Army allegedly abducting a 21-year-old in March, and 5 boys from the Upper Subansiri district in September. They were subsequently released after the Indian Army intervened.

China calls Arunachal 'South Tibet' and claims it as a part of its territory.