Arunachal woman detained in China over Indian passport validity

A deeply disturbing incident has emerged involving an Indian-origin resident of the United Kingdom who hails from Arunachal Pradesh. While transiting through China, she was subjected to an 18-hour nightmare by immigration authorities who refused to acknowledge the validity of her Indian passport.

The Incident

Prema Wangjom Thongdok was en route from London to Japan on November 21. Her itinerary included a short, three-hour layover at the Shanghai Pudong Airport. However, what should have been a routine transit turned into a diplomatic standoff.

According to Thongdok, when she presented her documents at the immigration counter, officials flagged her passport. The issue was not a technical error, but a geopolitical provocation. She alleges that Chinese officials declared her passport "invalid" simply because her place of birth was listed as Arunachal Pradesh. In a shocking assertion of China's aggressive territorial claims, the officers reportedly told her, "Arunachal Pradesh is part of China."

Mockery and Isolation

The ordeal did not end with the rejection of her documents. Thongdok claims she was subjected to humiliation by both the immigration officers and staff from China Eastern Airlines. She described being mocked and laughed at, with some officials sarcastically suggesting she should apply for a Chinese passport if she wanted to travel.

Despite holding a valid visa for her final destination, Japan, she was barred from boarding her connecting flight. Her passport was confiscated, leaving her trapped in the transit area. For nearly 18 hours, she was allegedly denied access to basic airport facilities, proper food, or clear information.

Financial and Mental Toll

The situation effectively held her hostage within the terminal. Thongdok reported that she could not move between terminals to buy meals or rebook her travel. She further alleged that officials coerced her into purchasing a new ticket specifically on China Eastern Airlines, implying this was the only way to retrieve her confiscated passport. This resulted in significant financial loss due to missed hotel bookings and wasted flight tickets.

Consulate Intervention and Appeal to PM

Desperate for help, Thongdok managed to contact a friend in the UK, who then alerted the Indian Consulate in Shanghai. Indian diplomatic officials acted swiftly, arriving at the airport to escort her onto a late-night flight out of China. Following her safe exit, Thongdok has penned a strong letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She described the Shanghai Airport harassment as a direct insult to India's sovereignty and the dignity of people from Arunachal Pradesh. She is demanding accountability, disciplinary action against the staff involved, and assurance that other Indians will not face similar bullying in the future.