Indian Passport Dispute Leads to 18-Hour Detention of Arunachal Woman in China

Post by : Raina Nasser

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based resident from Arunachal Pradesh, endured a distressing experience at Shanghai airport, China. On November 21, during her transit from London to Japan, she was held and questioned for nearly 18 hours by Chinese immigration officials who raised concerns regarding her Indian passport, asserting that Arunachal Pradesh is part of China and thus invalidating her travel document.

Thongdok, who has resided in the UK for 14 years and works as a financial advisor, was singled out and barred from proceeding to Japan. Chinese officials insisted she either head back to the UK or return to India, dismissing her passport's legitimacy. The airline permitted her journey from London but objected only upon her arrival in China, complicating her situation further.

Compounding her troubles was China's stringent internet censorship, known as the "Great Firewall." Thongdok found it nearly impossible to reach the Indian embassy or contact family due to the blockage of platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, alongside slow airport Wi-Fi that hampered her ability to seek help.

After lengthy discussions lasting anywhere between 10 and 12 hours, she was finally able to contact her lawyer via a landline. With assistance from friends in London, Thongdok reached the Indian embassy in Shanghai. Nonetheless, despite Indian officials intervening, Chinese immigration maintained their refusal to allow her to proceed to Japan and mandated her to book her next flight exclusively with China Eastern Airlines. This left her in a predicament as the airline that had initially allowed her to board from London later restricted her travel options.

Ultimately, after incurring significant emotional and financial strain due to canceled flights and accommodations, Thongdok departed China on a connecting flight from Bangkok. This entire episode left her both financially burdened and emotionally distressed.

Chinese authorities have claimed that their officials acted in accordance with existing laws and regulations, denying any harassment toward Thongdok.

This incident underscores continuing tensions surrounding the disputed status of Arunachal Pradesh between India and China, as well as the challenges travelers encounter amid strict internet censorship in China, especially in urgent situations where communication is crucial.