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Chinese Airport Harassment: Arunachal Woman's 18-Hour Ordeal Over Passport

An Indian-origin UK resident faced an 18-hour detention at Shanghai airport over her passport. Chinese officials refused to recognize Arunachal Pradesh as part of India and declared her document invalid. She was confined without proper food or facilities while staff mocked her situation. The Indian Consulate eventually intervened to secure her release after she missed her connecting flight.

Key Points: Indian Woman Harassed at China Airport Over Arunachal Passport

  • Chinese officials declared Indian passport invalid over Arunachal birthplace
  • Woman confined 18 hours without food or proper facilities
  • Immigration staff mocked her and suggested Chinese passport
  • Indian Consulate intervention finally secured her release from Shanghai
2 min read

Indian-origin woman harassed by officials at China airport over Arunachal mention on passport

UK resident Prema Wangjom Thongdok detained 18 hours at Shanghai airport after Chinese officials refused to recognize Arunachal Pradesh on her Indian passport.

"Arunachal Pradesh is part of China - Chinese immigration officials"

Shanghai, Nov 24

An Indian-origin UK resident from Arunachal Pradesh has alleged that Chinese immigration authorities at Shanghai Pudong Airport detained and harassed her for hours after refusing to acknowledge her Indian passport during a transit stop.

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, who was travelling from London to Japan on November 21 with a scheduled three-hour layover, said her ordeal stretched to 18 hours after officials declared her passport "invalid" because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

According to her, immigration personnel told her, "Arunachal Pradesh is part of China."

She said several officers and China Eastern Airlines staff mocked her, laughed at her, and even suggested she "apply for a Chinese passport".

What was supposed to be a routine transit, she claimed, turned into a prolonged confinement in the airport's transit area, where she was allegedly denied clear information, proper food, and access to basic facilities, according to a report by NDTV.

Prema alleged that her passport was confiscated and she was barred from boarding her onward flight to Japan despite holding a valid visa.

Confined to the transit zone, she said she could not rebook tickets, purchase meals, or move between terminals.

She further claimed officials pressured her to buy a fresh ticket specifically on China Eastern and hinted that her passport would only be returned after doing so, resulting in financial losses from missed flights and hotel bookings.

She managed to contact the Indian Consulate in Shanghai through a friend in the UK, following which Indian officials intervened and escorted her onto a late-night departure from the city.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior authorities, Prema described the incident as a "direct insult to India's sovereignty and to the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh".

She has urged the Indian government to take up the matter with Beijing, demand accountability and disciplinary action against the immigration and airline staff involved, and seek compensation.

She also requested assurances that Indians from Arunachal Pradesh will not face such difficulties while travelling internationally in the future.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Our government should take strong diplomatic action. This harassment of Indian citizens cannot be tolerated. Kudos to our consulate officials who helped her get back safely.
A
Arjun K
As someone who travels frequently, this is really concerning. What if this happens to other Indians? Our MEA should issue a strong travel advisory about transiting through China. Better safe than sorry!
S
Sarah B
While I completely condemn China's actions, I also think our government should have better systems to warn citizens about such risks. Many people don't realize the political tensions can affect ordinary travelers.
V
Vikram M
China's bullying tactics won't change geographical facts. Arunachal Pradesh is Indian territory, period. The way they treated this woman - denying food, confiscating passport - is just shameful behavior from a so-called global power.
M
Michael C
This is why I always check transit requirements carefully. Maybe Indians from border states should avoid transiting through countries that have territorial disputes with India. Safety first!

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