A group of Hakki Pikki people, a tribal nomadic community, from Karnataka are said to have been stranded in Ivory Coast, a West African country, after the local administration detained them for selling plant extracts without proper clearances in that country.
The friends and relatives are engaged in contacting the authorities in India to ensure early release of the nine people, that include three women. Among them include families from Shivamogga and Hunsuru in Mysuru district. They have been languishing in the jail of that country, for last four days, according to R. Punith Kumar, State president of Hakki-Pikki Budakattu Sanghatane, a forum of the tribal community.
He has urged the Union government and the Ministry of External Affairs to take necessary measures for the release of Girish, Lakshmi, Simbran of Sadashivapura of Shivamogga, Prathap of Bamankatta, Pappa of Bengaluru, Prabhudevan of Pakshirajapura, Shanthi and Shahajan stuck in that country.
Similar cases
Interestingly, this is one among several cases involving Hakki-Pikki people reported in the recent days. In July, a few of the community from Pakshirajapura in Hunsur taluk were stopped from travelling back home in Fiji after the authorities reported that they had not paid tax for the money they earned, according to Mr. Punith Kumar.
Earlier in June this year, three members of the community were stranded at Mozambique after they were allegedly cheated by a local agent, who had assured them documents to stay in that country. They returned home following the intervention of the High Commission of India in Mozambique. In February this year, a group of people from Sadashivapura in Shivamogga taluk were detained by the local authorities of Tumu in Ghana, an African country.
The tribal community, spread over Hassan, Shivamogga, Mysuru, Davanagere and several other parts, is known for moving from one place to another. In the recent decades, they settle at one point, while the earning members travel extensively. Many of them travel abroad for several months, selling hair oils and other plant extracts that carry medicinal value.
Unaware of the restrictions on trade, particularly on selling plant extracts, they get into trouble in foreign lands. “There have been many instances of our people getting into trouble in foreign lands. I appeal to them to get necessary approvals from competent authorities to do trade there. They need to be careful and respect the laws of that land,” said Mr. Punith Kumar.
He has also appealed to the government to spread awareness among the community and take measures necessary to avoid such instances in the future.
Published - August 05, 2026 06:58 pm IST