Punjab CM slams Centre as another US plane carrying deportees set to land in Amritsar: ‘Attempt to defame…’

Bhagwant Mann

The arrival of flights -- carrying illegal Indian immigrants from the US -- in Amritsar has sparked a political debate. With two more flights expected on February 15 and 16, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has questioned the central government’s choice of Amritsar as the landing site, accusing them of trying to defame the state.

A flight from the United States, carrying 119 illegal Indian immigrants, is scheduled to arrive at Amritsar airport on February 15. This marks the second group of deportees sent back by the Trump administration as part of its recently announced crackdown. Another plane carrying deportees is expected to land on February 16.

Among the 119 illegal Indian immigrants, 67 hail from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, official sources told PTI.

“It is being said that out of the 119 illegal immigrants, 67 hail from Punjab and that's why the plane will land in Amritsar. If that's the case, then why didn't the first plane land in Ahmedabad?... They (referring to BJP-led central government) are trying to defame Punjab. BJP always tries to defame Punjabis and Punjab,” Mann said.

Just days ago, a US military aircraft carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants touched down at Amritsar airport. Among those deported, 33 were from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, and 30 from Punjab.

Most of the deportees hailing from Punjab had said they wanted to migrate to the US for a better life for their families. However, their dreams were shattered when they were caught at the US border and brought back in shackles.

After Donald Trump assumed office as the US President, the country's law enforcement agencies have launched a crackdown against illegal immigrants.

Many people from Punjab and some other states, who entered the US through "donkey routes" -- an illegal and risky pathway used by migrants to enter America or other illegal means by spending lakhs of rupees -- are now facing deportation.