11 members of Hakki Pikki tribe from Shivamogga arrested in Rwanda
- The tribes were travelling to African countries to sell herbal medicine
- Their arrest came to light after one of the arrested managed to send their pictures
- Family has now approached the MEA and hopes for its early intervention
FollowEleven people from Hakki Pikki tribe who had gone to African nations in search of jobs have been arrested Rwanda police. They hail from Sadashivapura village in Shivamogga taluk.
A photograph of them being in custody was shared by one of the arrested - Ranjan- with the tribal group leader Siddappa, and that's how the incident came to light, reports The New Indian Express. They were arrested on October 4, but it came to light only on October 6. Worried Siddappa has now approached the Ministry of External Affairs with a memorandum through deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.
Majority of the hakki pikki tribes visit African countries in search of jobs and mainly to sell the herbal medicine, that is popular among the tribal community. There is a surging demand for their herbal medicine in African countries and that has been a constant source of income for the hakki pikki families here. For the past 15 years, the community members have been visiting African countries to sell herbal medicines and also give massages.
But the arrest of eleven members of the tribe has upset the community here. "Though we are illiterate, we do carry the necessary documents," reports The New Indian Express quoting a family member of the arrested. The community hopes that the Ministry of External Affairs would intervene soon and help in the release of their kin.
The hakki-pikki tribes are nomads. They are scattered around Hassan, Shivamogga and also parts of Uttar Kannada districts who mostly live in the colonies provided by the state government. Majority of them have been rehabilitated by the government at Sadashivapura village, to which the arrested belong to.
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