Dismissing India’s concern about the five missing civilians in Arunachal Pradesh, China on Monday said that it never considered Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army had allegedly kidnapped five Indian villagers from Arunachal Pradesh last week.

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“China’s position on the eastern section of the China and India boundary and China’s southern Tibet is consistent and clear. We have no details to release yet about question on Indian Army sending a message to PLA about the five missing Indians in the region,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing in response to a question about the missing Indians, Global Times reported. 

“We have never recognised the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally established on the Chinese territory,” Zhao said adding that he is unaware of the alleged kidnapping.

The incident took place in the Nacho area in Upper Subansiri district along the border of India-China where the five persons had gone for hunting, said their families. Two others, who were in the group, managed to escape and informed the police.

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The youths, allegedly kidnapped, have been identified as Toch Singkam, Prasat Ringling, Dongtu Ebiya, Tanu Baker and Ngaru Diri.

Earlier in February, China had “firmly opposed” a visit to Arunachal Pradesh by Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah’s to attend a statehood day event. Beijing said the visit had violated its “territorial sovereignty and sabotaged mutual political trust”