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A teenage boy from Haryana, who left for the United States through the risky ‘dunki’ route last October in search of a job, has been killed after allegedly being held captive by human traffickers in Guatemala, his family claimed on Saturday. The boy has been identified as 18-year-old Yuvraj, son of an agriculturist from Mohna village in Kaithal.

 

The family of the deceased said they learnt about Yuvraj’s death a few days ago when one of the “donkers” sent them a death certificate and photos of him and another youth from Punjab. They claimed that both boys had been killed, Yuvraj’s maternal uncle, Gurpej Singh said.

 

Gurpej stated that “donkers” is a term used for human traffickers who operate illegal migration routes. He said people who take these routes often face abuse and mistreatment during their journey.

 

He shared that Yuvraj, who had recently completed Class 12, wanted to help his family financially and dreamed of finding work in the US. Three Haryana-based travel agents took a large amount of money from the family, promising to send him safely through their network of contacts abroad.

 

However, after the first payment, the family lost all contact with Yuvraj. A few months later, they received disturbing videos showing him and another youth from Punjab being held hostage in Guatemala. The traffickers then demanded ransom money for their release, Gurpej said.

 

The family of the deceased believes the money they sent through the Haryana agents never reached the traffickers in Guatemala. Recently, one of the “donkers” told them Yuvraj had been killed and demanded Rs 3 lakh to share proof. After they sent the money, the trafficker shared a death certificate and photos, Gurpej said.

 

"Overall, the family paid anywhere between Rs 40 to Rs 50 lakh to the travel agents and the donkers," he added.

 

Gurpej said the family had earlier approached the police, and two local agents were arrested. However, they were informed only recently about Yuvraj’s death.

 

Many people from Punjab, Haryana, and other states continue to take the “dunki routes” — illegal and dangerous paths used by migrants to enter the United States — spending huge sums of money. Several who manage to enter the US this way have since been deported.

 

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