PLA hands over five Arunachal men who ‘strayed’ into China

In his statement, Pande said that Arunachal Pradesh is known for its “rich natural heritage and adventurous people” who are “fond of exploring nature for medicinal herbs” and “possessing traditional flair for hunting which involves surviving off the land for weeks in jungles and far flung remote areas.

“During such adventurous forays, at times youth have inadvertently strayed to the other side of LAC. Indian Army has always been proactive in tracing the lost locals and helping them return home,” he said. Last week, BJP leader and East Arunachal MP Tapir Gao had tweeted that five youths had been allegedly abducted by the PLA from Sera7 area below the McMahon Line in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district.