A US military aircraft on Wednesday carrying over 100 deported Indian immigrants landed at Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, drawing a large crowd and prompting enhanced security. The deportees, from Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, included 79 men, 25 women, and 12 minors.
The flight landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport at 1:55 pm, with tight security from Punjab Police. Airport officials, including the director, deputy commissioner, commissioner of - police, and CIF director, held a meeting, and the police barricaded key entry points as part of the security measures.
In response, Punjab Police increased security, and the state government arranged minibuses for transportation. Authorities, in coordination with the central government, ensured assistance for the deportees, including checks on any criminal records, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann offering further support.
Here Are The Top Updates - The Congress party accused the US of humiliating and handcuffing Indians during deportation. Pawan Khera, the party’s media chairman, expressed sadness over the images of deported Indians being treated in such a manner.
- Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for their silence on the US deportation of Indians, calling it "shocking and shameful." He urged the central government to address the issue and take action.
- CPI(ML) MP Raja Ram Singh urged Jaishankar to clarify India’s stance on US deportations, criticising the assurance to take back 18,000 deportees and pointing out the irony of Indian professionals' contributions to the US economy.
- According to PTI, the deportees will be allowed to return home after verification and background checks.
- Police will prioritise identifying any deportees with a criminal record.
- Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed disappointment over the US government's decision to deport these individuals, stating that they, who contributed to the US economy, should have been granted permanent residency.
- Punjab Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal spoke to the media after meeting the deported Indian immigrants at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar.
- This is the first batch of illegal Indian immigrants deported by the US government.
- The deportation occurred ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington next week.
- MEA opposed illegal immigration due to its connection to organised crime and has not objected to the US deporting its citizens.