Two Arunachal Pradesh Men Vanished Two Years Ago, Last Seen Near China Border

Two individuals, Batelum Tikro (35) and his cousin Bainsi Manyu (37), were reported missing from the Chaglagam area in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh on August 19, 2022. They had ventured into a high altitude region near the border with China in search of medicinal herbs. Despite extensive efforts, they have not been located. According to Mr. Tikro’s brother, Dishanso Chikro, it is believed that the Chinese army detained the duo.

Mr. Chikro has repeatedly sought information from local army authorities but has not received any updates. Anjaw MLA and the State’s Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul confirmed that the two individuals went missing while searching for medicinal herbs near the Chinese border. She stated that the Chinese authorities have not acknowledged their custody, although it is believed that the two men are still alive. The family filed two missing person reports at the Hayuliang police station on October 9, 2022.

Mr. Tikro is from Doiliang and Mr. Manyu is from Manyu Chiprogam, both in the Anjaw district. Mr. Tikro is unmarried, while Mr. Manyu and his wife have two young children. Local authorities informed that the issue was raised with the Chinese army at flag meetings along the border, but there has been no information on the Chinese response. The community is hoping for the safe return of the missing individuals, as it is not uncommon for people to be detained by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in the region.

However, it is unusual for individuals to remain missing for such an extended period of time. In previous cases, those detained have usually been released after a brief period. The recent incident involving the two missing cousins has occurred amid the ongoing standoff between the Indian Army and the PLA in eastern Ladakh since April 2020. The area is part of the 3,400 km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) that India shares with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

India firmly rejects China’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing it as an integral part of the country. This situation has prompted concern and highlights the delicate geopolitical tensions in the region.