New Delhi: An 18-year-old youth from Haryana’s Kaithal district has been killed in Guatemala while attempting to enter the United States through the illegal “dunki” route, his family has alleged. The deceased, Yuvraj from Mohna village, had reportedly paid between Rs 40 lakh and Rs 50 lakh to three agents who promised to help him reach the US.
According to his maternal uncle Gurpej Singh, Yuvraj left India in October last year after completing his Class 12 education, hoping to travel safely to America. The family was told that a network of contacts would ensure his safe passage. However, soon after he left, communication with him was lost.
A few months later, the family received disturbing videos showing Yuvraj and another youth being held captive in Guatemala. The traffickers demanded ransom from the family for his release. “They sent us videos of him being beaten and demanded money,” his uncle told reporters.
The family said they paid an additional ₹3 lakh to the traffickers, after which they were sent photographs and a purported death certificate claiming Yuvraj had been killed. “We have received a certificate saying he is dead, but we have no clarity about what exactly happened,” Singh said.
Police have arrested two of the three agents accused of duping the family. Officials said the case is being investigated and efforts are on to trace others involved in the trafficking network.
Yuvraj’s death has once again highlighted the dangers of the so-called “dunki” route — a risky and illegal journey taken by many from India, particularly from Punjab and Haryana, to reach the United States through Central American countries. These routes are often facilitated by human traffickers who charge families huge sums, exposing migrants to exploitation, abuse, or death during the perilous journey.
Authorities said the incident underscores the urgent need to crack down on human trafficking networks exploiting young people seeking better opportunities abroad.
