DAVANAGERE: As many as 21 Karnataka residents are currently detained in Libreville, Gabon’s capital, for holding counterfeit business visas while engaging in commercial activities. Following police raids in Libreville, authorities discovered nine people from Gopanal village in Channagiri taluk, Davanagere district, and 12 others from the Hakkipikki colony in Shivamogga, comprising 10 females and 12 males from tribal communities. The authorities have confiscated their travel documents and placed them in custody.
Reports suggest that recent political transitions in Central Africa led to stringent enforcement against unauthorised immigrants by the military administration. They have also arrested the individual responsible for document falsification. The detainees report being deceived by a visa agent who provided them with fraudulent business visas. These Hakkipikki community members were trading herbal hair oil and Ayurveda products.
Post detention, Central African officials initially demanded Rs 2 lakh as a penalty, later reduced to Rs 57,000 in Indian currency for their release and departure clearance. The authorities allowed them to reach out to their families in India to secure the necessary funds. Their family members and associates in Karnataka are currently collecting the required amount, with their departure scheduled for Saturday night from Libreville.
“We believed an agent, who helped us to get a business visa, cheated us. He issued an authentic visa in the past, but during the renewal, he provided a fake one to all of us without paying the fee to the govt. We are in trouble due to his fraudulent act,” shared Partha, who is one of the stranded individuals. He was staying there along with his wife Pallavi for more than two years.
Puneet Kumar R, state president of the Hakkipikki community, confirmed that relatives and friends are securing funds for their return. They are working alongside the Indian Embassy in Libreville, which has offered support. “The state and Union govt will bring all Indians who are stranded in Central Africa safely,” he said.
“I visited the Gopanal village and collected information. Most of their relatives have arranged the money, and we also arranged money for two of them for air tickets. They said the flight is scheduled for Saturday night from Libreville. All 21 members will reach India safely if everything goes well,” said Naveen CH, the district tribal welfare officer of Davanagere.
