Shivamogga: A group of 11 members belonging to the Hakki-Pikki tribe from Sadashivapura of Shivamogga who were arrested by Rwanda police have been released thanks to a swift action by the Karnataka Home ministry.
Soon after the group which had gone to Africa in search of jobs was arrested, Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy had directed senior officials Subhash Chandra and police chief R K Dutta to take action in this regard. The officials thereafter informed External Affairs Ministry and the group is expected to return to Shivamogga in a week.
The group belonging to the Hakki Pikki tribe from Sadashivapura of Shivamogga, had gone to Africa in search of jobs and was arrested despite possessing the requisite travel documents. The news of the arrest became known when one of the arrested sent a photo of the group in custody to their tribal leader Siddappa who approached the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police and with their help, reached out to the External Affairs Ministry.
This nomadic tribal group is usually found in Hassan, Shivamogga and few parts of Uttara Kannada districts. They often travel to African countries in search of jobs and also to sell off their herbal medicines.