Arunachal Pradesh: The five men had been missing since September 2
The centre today said China has confirmed that five men missing from Arunachal Pradesh have been found on "their side" and the process is on to bring them to India.
"China's PLA has responded to the hotline message sent by Indian Army. They have confirmed that the missing youths from Arunachal Pradesh have been found by their side. Further modalities to handover the persons to our authority is being worked out," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted.
The five men who had been missing since September 2 were hunters, the army said in a statement.
"As a result of persistent efforts of Indian Army, five missing hunters from Indian side of LAC in Upper Subansiri, who had inadvertently crossed over to other side on 2 September 2020, were traced. Chinese Army on September 8 responded on hotline and confirmed that the missing Indians have been found on their side. Formalities for their early transfer are being coordinated with the Chinese Army," the Army said in a statement today.
Sources said porters and guides after dropping off cargo at forward posts often go to higher altitude to hunt for mask deer or collect herbs like "gumba". The mask deer and the gumba, a traditional medicine, have big prices in the international grey market. It is possible the five men strayed away while looking to hunt or collect herbs, sources said.
Long-range patrols (LRPs) that need help from porters to carry supplies are common at all strategic points along the McMahon Line, the effective border between India and China.
An Indian Army LRP in the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh can sustain itself from a week to a month. These units move with a load of ration and medicines as they trek up the mountains. Locals act as porters, guides and scouts and get honorarium for their service.
In Upper Subansiri district, remote areas like Siyum, Nacho, Limeking and Taksing are from where villagers come to help the army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in going for long-range patrols. LRPs are frequently sent out to Rijala, Tongdara Pass and the Kodo Pass at the McMahon Line.
The ITBP sends out at least two LRPs in a year, while the army sends three or four of them, sources said.
In June this year, a 35-year-old porter died after a fall while he was trekking as a part of a group of porters with the army's LRP to Rijala pass in Upper Subansiri district, sources said.