Punjab faces significant challenges in sending people abroad, with the lure of attractive policies from other countries. Unemployment is also a major factor in Punjab, compounded by the absence of an IT industry. Consequently, many youth turn to foreign destinations.
Chandigarh: The aspiration of Punjab’s youth to go abroad is evident, with over a lakh youth leaving the state for foreign shores every year. Pursuing education and employment outside Punjab has become a status symbol, no longer limited to the affluent. In the past four to five years, even youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are increasingly eager to go abroad. The objective remains the same: to establish permanent residency abroad and lead a comfortable life. However, this passion often turns into a challenge for them, resulting in the loss of their savings and youth.
A recent incident in France highlighted the apprehensions of French agencies regarding an aircraft bound for Nicaragua with Indian citizens. The suspicion is that the plane was being used for human trafficking. After landing in France, the aircraft returned to Mumbai on Tuesday. Just two days earlier, six youths, who spent nine days stranded in the jungle after returning from Russia, were brought back to India. They were subjected to beatings twice by border security forces and spent time in a Russian jail.
One of the six youths was Lakhbir Singh from Mehmanwala village in the Jalandhar district. Lakhbir shared with our associate, The Times of India, that a group of three people, including him, was taken to Oman on October 12. After 13 days, they were taken to Moscow, where they stayed for 5-6 days. Another youth was added to their group. They were then transported to Belarus by taxi. In Belarus, they were informed that they would enter Latvia. Their attempt was thwarted by border forces, resulting in detention and a subsequent return to the jungle. Later, they were taken to Lithuania, but that too was unsuccessful. An attempt to enter Poland was made, and they were apprehended again. By this time, they were in a dire situation as their food supplies had run out, resorting to living on tree leaves. Two youths from the group, originally from Punjab, were left behind. After returning to Belarus, they were kept in rooms and informed by local traffickers that both had died in the jungle.
On December 24, they were returned to Russia. From there, they were twice transported in passenger vehicles. They were told they would enter Finland and then be taken to France or Italy. However, Russian forces apprehended them both times, and during the second arrest, they discovered that the visa period for six of them had expired. They were arrested and thrown into jail. Subsequently, their families contacted Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, a member of the Rajya Sabha. With his intervention, the youth were successfully repatriated to Delhi on December 24.
Balwinder Singh from Sona Sandhar village in Fazilka district revealed that he intended to go to Spain. He paid agents INR 13 lakhs and took along INR 2 lakhs. He indicated that his family had taken a loan to send him abroad, and now, after experiencing this nightmarish ordeal, they are drowning in debt.
