Karnataka's Hakki Pikki Community Members Face Visa Crisis in Chad
In a distressing development, eight members from the Hakki Pikki community of Karnataka, including three women, are currently stranded in Chad, Africa, due to severe visa-related complications. The group, which traveled to the African nation for herbal trade purposes, now finds itself in a precarious situation with their passports seized and facing threats over alleged illegal stay.
Details of the Stranded Individuals
The affected members hail from different districts across Karnataka:
- Somasekhar Biliyappa, Rekha Yalantar, Devkumar, and Sonia Devkumar from Gopanalu village in Davanagere district
- Pradeep, Aravind Kumar, and Vishal from the Hakki Pikki camp in Shivamogga district
- A woman named Kandu from Chikkamagaluru district
These individuals traveled to N'Djamena, the capital city of Chad, approximately one year ago with the intention of engaging in herbal trade activities.
Visa Extension Process Turns Into Nightmare
The group's troubles began when they applied for a visa extension at the immigration office fourteen days before their existing visa was scheduled to expire. According to their accounts, immigration officials reportedly delayed the processing of their extension application intentionally.
After their visa expired, the situation escalated dramatically. Officials accused the group of staying illegally in the country, seized their passports, and began issuing threats. The group claims that an immigration official who was initially cooperative later changed his stance completely.
Financial Demands and Threats of Imprisonment
The stranded individuals report that immigration officials are now demanding $2,000 per person as a penalty for overstaying their visa. They have been threatened with imprisonment if they fail to pay this substantial amount.
Somasekhar Biliyappa, one of the stranded persons, communicated with TOI via WhatsApp call expressing their desperation. "The immigration officials and police delayed intentionally and are now threatening us with imprisonment," he revealed. "Without our passports, we have no proof of being Indian. We are currently in Abeche, about 900 km from N'Djamena. We do not have the money they demand and are struggling here. Please bring us back to India."
Indian Embassy's Response Draws Criticism
When leaders of the Hakki Pikki community contacted the Indian Embassy in Chad seeking assistance, they reportedly received no positive response. Embassy officials allegedly stated they could do nothing since the group's visa had already expired and advised them to pay the fine to avoid punishment.
Community leaders have accused the Indian Embassy of negligence in handling this sensitive matter involving Indian citizens stranded abroad. Despite the group applying for their visa extension well in advance of the expiration date, the embassy's response has left them feeling abandoned in their time of crisis.
Current Situation and Plea for Help
The eight community members are currently located in Abeche, approximately 900 kilometers from Chad's capital N'Djamena. Without their passports, they lack proper identification and proof of their Indian citizenship. The financial demand of $2,000 per person presents an insurmountable challenge for the group, who are already struggling in unfamiliar territory.
Their desperate plea to be brought back to India highlights the vulnerability of Indian citizens engaged in traditional trades abroad and raises important questions about consular support mechanisms for such communities when they face difficulties in foreign countries.
