TWO DOABA YOUTHS DIE TRYING TO SNEAK INTO US
KAPURTHALA : The lure of the American dream claimed the life of two youths from Doaba region, who were reportedly trying to sneak into the US illegally through a dense forest in Mexico.
The family of 18-year-old Davinderpal Singh, who was from Begowal in Kapurthala district, came to know about his death from a relative on Tuesday, who also informed them about the death of Gaurav, 20, of Banga in Nawanshahr.
Davinderpal and Gaurav had reportedly taken the “donkey route” — slang for illegal immigration — to enter the US, travelling to Greece, Italy and Spain before reaching Mexico by air. The two were accompanied by a Punjabi girl, whose identity has not been ascertained.
Sukhwinder said he paid ₹24 lakh to a local travel agent, who assured him of Davinderpal’s safe passage into the US. The three left Punjab on June 13 and reached Mexico on July 1.
GIRL SURVIVES TO SHARE ORDEAL
“The last time I talked to my son was on July 6,” said Sukhwinder. “He told me that he will was about to start the short journey through a forest on the Us-mexico border.”however, on their way, the trio forgot the way and got trapped in the forest.
“They did not eat anything for days as the local agent had given them only a few bottles of water and some snacks. They managed to reach Arizona in the US, but fainted in the jungle due to hunger and thirst,” said Sukhwinder, on basis of the information gathered by his Us-based elder brother from the girl, who was rescued and admitted to a camp by local security forces.
The other youth, Gaurav, used to live with his uncle Gurmeet Singh at Nora village in Banga. His parents are already settled in the US. Gurmeet said he had last talked to him in the first week of July.
Bholath deputy superintendent of police Davinder Singh said Davinderpal’s family has not recorded any statement against the travel agent yet. Case will be registered after that, he said.