Arunachal villagers not vacating land due to conflict with China, says Kiren Rijiju

Guwahati: Union Sports Minister and Arunachal Pradesh MP Kiren Rijiju on Thursday dismissed reports of Arunachalee villagers vacating land near the Chinese border as "fake news."

As per reports, there were rumours that the villagers or the Surwa Samba had vacated their land due to simmering tensions at the border. Rijiju, sharing pictures of a visit to the border region, wrote, "Please don't believe the fake news. This is at Surwa Samba, last border post at India-China in Arunachal Pradesh. There's news spreading that villagers here have vacated the village due to border tension. It is not true."

In a similar development, Sang Phuntsok, the Deputy Commissioner of Tawang district in a notification said that reports in social media about the vacating of the Taksang village are not true.

In a letter dated September 10, Phuntsok clarified, "There is no such report of vacating the village, therefore it is no correct. Further, it is to inform that Taksang village is not a permanent village and it is only a camp where the people from the villages of Zemithang circle who are working in the BRO are camping."

These developments have come days after 5 Arunachalee youths were reportedly kidnapped by the Chinese PLA, as per their kin.

Those allegedly kidnapped have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker, and Ngaru Diri. The influential All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has termed the incident as "unfortunate" and called upon both the central and state governments to ensure the early and safe release of the youths.

Even tensions with China continuing to rise in the aftermath of the horrific clash at the Galwan Valley, Kiren Rijiju said that China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has confirmed that five civilians who went missing from Arunachal Pradesh last week have been found on their side. The process of handing over the youth to India is being worked out, the minister added.

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