Malkit from Kaithal Dies on 'Donkey Route' to America

A devastating story has emerged from Haryana's Kaithal district, where a family discovered their son Malkit's death through a social media video showing his body in the Panama jungle. Malkit dreamed of working in America, became another victim of the dangerous "donkey route" - an illegal immigration path that claims numerous lives. 

Malkit was from Mataur village in Kaithal and polytechnic graduate, left home on February 17, 2023, after his family paid an agent 40 lakh rupees for what they thought would be a safe passage to America. His father Satpal, a farmer, explains that the agent took 25 lakh rupees in advance but instead of arranging legal travel, sent Malkit on the dangerous donkey route. 

Lost Communication

"We lost contact with him after March 7, 2023," says Malkit's brother. The family's worst fears were confirmed when they recognized their son's body in a video circulating on social media, showing a corpse lying in Panama's Darien Gap jungle. According to other travelers, 'donkers' (human traffickers) often shoot migrants who can't pay additional demands for money. 

Dangerous Panama Jungles

The "donkey route" (derived from the Punjabi word 'dunki') involves a dangerous 15,000-kilometer journey through multiple countries. Migrants face extreme conditions including dense jungles, deserts, and dangerous river crossings. Recent deportees report finding dozens of skeletal remains along these routes, particularly in Panama's notorious Darien Gap. 

The tragedy extends beyond the loss of life, with families often selling land or taking massive loans to fund these journeys and fulfill the dreams of their children. Malkit's father said that after paying 40 lakh rupees to the agent, all they received in return was news of their son's death. The agent has since maintained silence when confronted about the tragedy.