Second Flight Carrying 119 Deportees From US To Land In Amritsar On Saturday, CM Mann Says ‘Defaming Punjab'
The second group of deportees is expected to arrive on an aircraft, but unlike those on the first flight, they will likely not be restrained.
A second aircraft carrying 119 Indians deported from the United States is scheduled to land at Amritsar Airport on Saturday, with the majority of the 67 passengers hailing from Punjab. Another flight carrying deportees is likely to arrive on February 16.
As per the Indian Express report, it is still uncertain whether the deportees will be transported by a US aircraft or if the Indian government has arranged a flight for their return. Earlier, on February 5, a C-17 aircraft carrying 104 Indians landed in Amritsar, with most passengers from Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab.
Sources indicated that the second group of deportees is expected to arrive on an aircraft, but unlike those on the first flight, they will likely not be restrained as the Union government previously faced backlash over the treatment of deportees on the initial flight.
The way deportees were brought back, led to chaos in the Parliament. In response, the foreign minister promised to raise the issue with the US government.
The issue of illegal immigration was also discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, where it was addressed in talks with President Donald Trump.
The second flight will arrive at Amritsar International Airport between 10 pm and 11 pm on Saturday (February 15). Sources also disclosed that those on board include 67 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Maharashtra and Rajasthan respectively, and one passenger each from Himachal Pradesh, Goa, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told Indian Express, “They committed to streamlining avenues for legal mobility of students and professionals and facilitating short-term tourist and business travel while also committing to aggressively addressing and tackling illegal immigration and human trafficking. There is a commitment from both sides to take decisive action against elements that threaten public and diplomatic safety and security, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations. There is a commitment to strengthen law enforcement in this regard, especially significant from our perspective given some events that have taken place.”
Questioning the Ministry of External Affairs over the landing of the deportees' flight in Amritsar, Punjab CM Bhawant Mann told ANI, "A second plane carrying (Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the US) will land in Amritsar tomorrow...The Ministry of External Affairs should tell the criteria based on which Amritsar was selected to land the aircraft. You select Amritsar to defame Punjab...So, at the time when PM Modi and (US President) Trump were meeting, they (US authorities) must have been putting shackles on our people. Is this the gift Trump has given?"
#WATCH | Amritsar | Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann says, "A second plane carrying (Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the US) will land in Amritsar tomorrow...Ministry of External Affairs should tell the criteria based on which Amritsar was selected to land the… pic.twitter.com/TmPivL0xpn
— ANI (@ANI) February 14, 2025
Many deportees on the first flight had reportedly entered the US illegally via the "dunkey" route, undertaking arduous months-long journeys after paying large sums to unauthorised agents. Since their return, the Punjab and Haryana governments have taken action, arresting several such agents.
ALSO READ | Police Book Travel Agents In Punjab, Haryana On Complaint Of US Deportees
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