The Ministry of External Affairs has already denied reports of any death in the Greek boat tragedy. But with Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordering a Vigilance Department probe today to clear the haze over the April 16 boat tragedy near Greek shores in which 17 youth reportedly lost their lives, the truth about the tragic mishap and possibly the sinister racket of illegal human trafficking may finally come out.The incident continues to be shrouded in mystery with Athens telling New Delhi that only three non-Indians were killed in the tragedy.But the Greek Government’s claim has hardly brought any succour to families who have not heard from their wards for many days, and instead have got ‘news’ about the tragedy from their fellow travellers.The claims of no Indians dying are being taken with a pinch of salt at Doaba, the hub of illegal westward movement from the state.For instance, Tarlochan Singh, the uncle of Rachpal Singh, one of those feared drowned, has stated that Gurmeet Singh, the travel agent named in the reports, had got started in the trade by sending two youth from his village, Bakkapur near Balachaur in Nawanshahr district, abroad over two years ago.Tarlochan’s statement has been corroborated by several villagers including Sarpanch Niranjan Dass.Meanwhile, Gurmeet and Delhi-based agent Satnam Singh have been booked on the complaint of Rachpal’s father Bhag Singh under sections 406,420,120 B of IPC and section 10 of Immigration Act.Tarlochan said Gurmeet had left the village for Lebanon about seven years ago and reached Greece three years later. And then started arranging for youth from Punjab to travel there illegally.Tarlochan said Bhag Singh was put in touch with agent Satnam Singh at Gurmeet’s insistence and it was agreed that an amount of Rs 3.50 lakh would be paid to go to Greece.According to Dass, travel agents like Gurmeet lured young men with the promise of a trip into Europe at the end of a circuitous journey that could take weeks, months, even years, and could involve trying and near-impossible survival conditions enroute, a surreptitious night ride in a boat thrown in.The stories didn’t seem to discourage for at least one member from each family has settled abroad. The numbers total about 500 in this village.
