Two Arunachal Men Disappear for 2 Years, Last Seen Near China Border

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has not officially acknowledged the presence of Batelum Tikro (35) and his cousin Bainsi Manyu (37) in their territory. The two went missing from the Chaglagam area in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh on August 19, 2022, while searching for medicinal herbs along the border with China. Despite extensive efforts, they have not been found.

Dishanso Chikro, Mr. Tikro’s brother, revealed that he believes the Chinese army detained the duo. He stated that he has repeatedly approached local army authorities seeking information about his brothers, but has not received any response. Anjaw MLA and State’s Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul confirmed the disappearance of the duo and expressed that the Chinese side has not acknowledged their custody and status, though there are reports suggesting that they are still alive.

Following the disappearance, Mr. Chikro filed two missing persons complaints at the Hayuliang police station. The individuals hail from the Anjaw district, and it has been reported that local Army authorities raised the issue with their Chinese counterparts during flag meetings held along the border. However, the response from the Chinese side remains unknown.

Notably, this is not an isolated incident, as similar cases have occurred in the past, with most individuals returning home after a few days or weeks. In contrast, the whereabouts of the two missing persons have remained unknown for almost two years. This is in the context of ongoing tensions between the Indian Army and the PLA in eastern Ladakh since April 2020.

India has consistently rejected China’s territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, asserting that it is an integral part of the country. China, on the other hand, refers to the region as South Tibet and objects to Indian leaders’ visits to the state to assert its claims. The area has also been named Zangnan by Beijing.