The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China on Thursday handed over the missing Arunachal Pradesh teenager to the Indian Army.  The 17-year-old boy was now undergoing medical examination.  He returned home after nine days.

Miram Taron was reported missing on Tuesday last week.  One version claimed he was abducted by the PLA while sources in the Defence establishment here said the boy had lost his way in the jungles.

Announcing the boy’s release, Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju, who also hails from Arunachal Pradesh, said, “The Chinese PLA has handed over the young boy from Arunachal Pradesh,  Miram Taron, to the Indian Army. Due procedures are being followed, including the medical examination.”

He  said the youth was handed over to India at Wacha-Damai interaction point in Arunachal Pradesh and thanked the Indian Army for pursuing the case “meticulously with the PLA and safely securing our young boy.”

The youth will return to his family after the completion of formalities in collaboration with the Army, police, health, and local officials, sources said here, adding all the Covid protocols have also been followed.

The boy hails from Jido village in the Upper Siang district and was reported missing from Shiyung La in the Indian territory’s Bishing Area.

India and China on Wednesday had talked to each other on the hotline regarding the teenager and it was indicated he will be released soon after the weather improves.

A day after he went missing, the Indian Army contacted the PLA and the Chinese informed a few days later the boy was in their custody.  Giving an update on Wednesday, Rijiju had said China indicated the release of the 17-year-old boy and will soon share the date and time.

He had said, “Hotline exchanged on Republic Day by Indian Army with Chinese PLA. PLA responded positively indicating handing over of our national and suggested a place of release.”