Two Arunachal Men Missing Since 2022, Families Suspect Chinese Detention

Two men from Arunachal Pradesh, Batelum Tikro (35) and his cousin Bainsi Manyu (37), have been missing for nearly two years from the Chaglagam area in the Anjaw district along the India-China border. The duo disappeared on August 19, 2022, while searching for medicinal herbs in the high-altitude region. The family claims that the duo is believed to be in Chinese custody.

According to Tikro’s brother, Dishanso Chikro, the men were detained by the Chinese army. "I have come to know that they were detained by the Chinese army,” Chikro said.

"I have approached the local army authorities multiple times seeking information about my brothers. I am told that the issue was raised by the Indian Army with their Chinese counterparts, but no response has come so far," Chikro added as quoted bynews agency PTI.

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Anjaw MLA and State's Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul confirmed that the men went missing while looking for medicinal herbs. "The Chinese side has not yet acknowledged that the youths are in their custody, but I am told that they are still alive," she said.

After the men went missing, Chikro lodged two complaints at Hayuliang police station on October 9, 2022. It was mentioned in the complaints that fellow villagers might have last seen them at the border areas on August 24, 2022. Since then, there has been no sign of their whereabouts.

Tikro, unmarried, hails from Doiliang, while Manyu, who is married with two young children, comes from Manyu Chiprogam in Anjaw district.

Anjaw district Zila Parishad Chairman Soblem Pul said local Army authorities raised the issue with the Chinese army at flag meetings. “I have no idea what was the response of the Chinese side at the flag meetings. The parents of the men keep telling us to do something. But we are helpless so far. We hope that they will return home safe and soon,” he told PTI over phone.

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This is not the first time residents of Arunachal Pradesh have gone missing or been detained by the PLA. In most cases, they return after a few days or weeks. However, this is the first time no information has been found for nearly two years.

In September 2020, the PLA allegedly abducted five youths from Arunachal Pradesh's Upper Subansiri district. They were released about a week later. In January 2022, a teenage boy, Miram Taron, was allegedly taken by Chinese forces and was handed over to the Indian side nine days later.