JIND: At least 50 youths in the ages of 25 to 30 have been deported from the US to Haryana in handcuffs after having travelled there via the ‘dunki’ route.
Naresh Kumar, one of the 14 Kaithal youths sent back from the US, told mediapersons: “I sold my agricultural land and paid an agent Rs 57 lakh to go to the US via the Panama jungle route. After spending 14 months in jail, I was deported.”
Naresh alleged that the agent kept extorting money from him at every border crossing.
“He took Rs 42 lakh initially, then Rs 6 lakh in Guatemala, another Rs 6 lakh when I reached Mexico, and the rest was taken when we crossed the border. But instead of helping me reach the US safely, they got me arrested and put in jail,” he said. Naresh asked for action against the agent and appealed to others not to take the ‘dunki’ route.
Sources said that apart from the 16 youths from Karnal, 14 were from Kaithal, five from Kurukshetra, three from Jind, and a few others from Ambala, Panipat, and nearby areas.
Karnal police DSP Sandeep Kumar told mediapersons that a total of 16 individuals had been received by their team. “The youths were brought from the Delhi airport by CM squad personnel and handed over to their families at the police lines,” said a police official.
Karnal police DSP Sandeep Kumar told mediapersons that a total of 16 individuals had been received by their team.
A police official said, “The youths were brought from the Delhi airport by CM squad personnel and handed over to their families at the police lines.”
Kaithal SP Upasana told TOI that all the deportees have been handed over to their families. All records are being checked thoroughly and one person was found to have a criminal background, police said.
Also read- Nearly 2,000 Indians deported from Canada in 2024: Work and study prospects at risk as immigration laws tightenJind SP Kuldeep Singh said three local men have been sent back from US after travelling there illegally. DSP Sandeep Kumar handed them to their families.
“Travelling abroad through the ‘dunki’ route is a serious criminal offence and also tarnishes the image of our society. Such illegal journeys not only lead to financial loss but also pose a grave threat to life. In many cases, youths face physical abuse, fraud, and even death along the way,” SP Singh warned.
Appealing to all district residents, the SP said anyone who wishes to go abroad should always do so through legal and proper channels.
He added that police are keeping a close watch on such activities, and strict legal action will be taken against anyone trying to mislead youths.