The pair, Saheb Singh (21) from Moriya village near Dasuya in Hoshiarpur and Yuvraj Singh (18) from Mohna village in Kaithal, began their journey in October of the previous year.
Two young men from Punjab and Haryana who traveled to the US via the ‘dunki’ route seeking employment have reportedly been killed by human traffickers in Guatemala after being held for ransom, according to claims made by the families of the victims.
The pair, Saheb Singh (21) from Moriya village near Dasuya in Hoshiarpur and Yuvraj Singh (18) from Mohna village in Kaithal, began their journey in October of the previous year.
A few days ago, Yuvraj’s family discovered his death when a “donker” (someone who runs illegal migration routes) sent them a death certificate along with photos of him and Saheb, asserting that both had been killed.
Yuvraj’s uncle, Gurpej Singh, mentioned that three travel agents from Haryana had collected significant amounts of money from the family, assuring a secure trip via other connections within their network34
Yuvraj, who after passing the Class XII Examinations was then anxious to assist his family and believed he could find work once he was in the US. But after the family made their payments, they lost contact with Yuvraj.
A couple of months later, they were sent videos that showed him and Saheb held captive in Guatemala, Gurpej stated. Subsequently, the “donkers” increased their ransom requests.
Yuvraj’s family thinks the funds they sent via the Haryana agents for the other “donkers” never reached their intended destinations. Recently, a member of the “donkers” reached out to the family, asserting that Yuvraj was dead and requested Rs 3 lakh to verify his assertion. After the payment was made, the trafficker provided a death certificate and photographs, Gurpej stated.
“Generally, the family spent between Rs 40 and Rs 50 lakh on the travel agents and the donkers,” he remarked.
Saheb was the only child of his parents and the only brother to his two sisters. Similar to Yuvraj and others in his circle, he also departed from home with the aspiration of creating a brighter future in the US. His father Sucha Singh sold his farmland, animals, and even his wife’s jewelry to pay Rs 45 lakh to the travel agents.
A family member, Gurdeep Singh, mentioned that Saheb and several others were ensnared by human traffickers in Guatemala. “They assaulted them and released videos asking for a ransom.” “When the funds couldn’t be secured, they murdered Saheb,” Gurdeep stated.
Sucha mentioned he sold everything he owned to send Saheb to the US. “We merely wished for him to experience an improved life.” “Rather, we lost him for good,” he stated.
The two families are currently asking for justice, insisting on strong measures against the agents who deceived them.
