Hakki Pikki people from Karnataka detained in Ghana; families concerned

Gundsala, an elderly woman from the Hakki Pikki tribal community, settled in Sadashivapura near Shivamogga, is worried. Her son Lakkhan and her daughters-in-law, Milli and Shirish, have been in African countries selling herbal products for the last four months. She has been informed by her neighbours that her family members are among 24 people from the village who are detained in Ghana after the local authorities took them into custody. Two people from Gopanal in the Channagiri taluk of Davangere district are also with them.

“I am here taking care of my four grandchildren, who go to school,” she said. When asked about the purpose of her children’s visit to foreign countries, the woman stated that when there, they would sell oil extracted from plants and also offer massage services. “Not only my children, but many people from the village have been to different countries. They travel for several months and then come back,” said Gundsala.

Earlier this week, acting upon a complaint from residents of Tumu in Ghana, the authorities of Sissala East Municipal took 26 people into custody on charges of selling unregistered herbal products. The individuals allegedly did not have clearance from the Food and Drugs Authority to sell their products, which they claim possess medicinal value. Punith Kumar R., State president of Hakki Pikki Budakattu Sanghatane, a forum for tribal people, told The Hindu that he received information about the arrests through social media accounts active in Ghana.

Later, he contacted them by phone and learnt about their whereabouts. He also requested Davanagere Member of Parliament Prabha Mallikarjuna for the safe release of the tribal people. “Our people travel to distant places to sell their products. In some countries, there are strict rules regarding the sale of herbal extracts. I am told the local authorities have considered their plea and have decided to release them. However, they have refused to return the seized goods,” he said. Prabhu Kishan, a native of Sadashivapura, during his visit to Ghana, told The Hindu over the phone that he and another 25 people had been in the custody of local authorities. “We were released yesterday (Thursday) but were stopped again for verification of our documents,” he said.

Loan

The Hakki Pikki people are settled in various places, including Davangere, Shivamogga, Mysuru, and Hassan districts. They travel to different countries to sell hair oils and plant-based medical products. They spend several months each year in these countries and return home with a decent income.

When The Hindu visited Sadashivapura on Friday, many residents mentioned that several of their relatives had travelled to various places. Jaikirthi, a member of the B. Beeranahalli Gram Panchayat, said that five members of his family were on foreign visits. Similarly, Lallu Bai, an elderly woman, stated that five members of her family, including her two grandchildren, went abroad 15 days ago. “I don’t know which country they went to. They carried hair oil and other products to market there,” she said. When asked when they would come back, the woman replied that they would return in a year. “They cannot come back soon, as they planned their foreign visits by borrowing loans from private lenders at high interest rates. They have to repay the loan and earn extra,” the lady stated. Several years ago, her late husband, Balaraju, also visited Dubai and a few other countries for the same purpose.

Another woman, Mahadevi, returned to Sadashivapura three days ago after a trip to Ghana and Nigeria with her husband Giribabu. The couple had travelled to many countries. “Primarily, we sell hair oil and other extracts of medicinal plants that cure body pain. During our visits, we roam different streets to market our products, somehow manage to communicate the quality of the product and sell them,” said Mahadevi, who has never gone to school.