China detains Indian vlogger after immigration alert over Arunachal posts
Guwahati: An Indian travel vlogger was detained by Chinese authorities for nearly 15 hours after an alert linked to his social media activity was triggered during his arrival in China, according to the vlogger’s own account.
Anant Mittal, known online as On Road Indian, said Chinese immigration officials stopped him immediately after he landed in China on November 16 and escorted him to a detention area without providing any explanation.
In a post on Instagram and a subsequent YouTube video, Mittal said a sticker affixed to his passport activated an alert in the immigration system, following which officials moved him to a holding area where several other foreign nationals were present. He said authorities did not inform him of the reason for the detention for several hours.
Mittal claimed officials later shifted him to another room and confiscated his phone and camera to prevent recording. He said he managed to document parts of the experience only because his iPad was not noticed during the security check. According to him, officials held him for hours without food, provided water only once, and did not respond to repeated requests for assistance, leaving him frightened and uncertain about the outcome.
In his account, Mittal linked the detention to a video he had previously posted expressing concern over an Arunachal Pradesh resident allegedly detained in China.
He said he had studied in the Northeast for three years and felt a strong emotional attachment to the region, which prompted him to speak publicly. He stressed that he has no political affiliations and that his work focuses solely on travel vlogging and cultural documentation.
After nearly 15 hours in custody, an official allegedly informed him that the “process” had been completed and directed him to leave the country. Mittal said he subsequently returned safely to India.
He also clarified that the video recounting the incident was recorded voluntarily and not under any pressure. Mittal issued an apology if his remarks had caused offence and described himself as an ordinary individual with no influence or intent to challenge major powers. He said he held himself responsible for posting the video related to Arunachal Pradesh.
The incident triggered widespread reactions on social media, with several users expressing solidarity with the vlogger and supporting his right to speak on Arunachal Pradesh. Others criticised the manner of his detention and urged him to raise the issue formally with the Ministry of External Affairs, while some questioned his public expression of regret and fear.