'Will They Allow In Vatican': Punjab CM Mann Slams Centre Over Landing Of Deportees In Amritsar, BJP Hits Back

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann criticized the central government for landing a plane carrying US deportees in Amritsar, calling the city a sacred pilgrimage site and not appropriate for such actions.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann slammed centre over landing of US deportees in Amritsar.

Source : PTI

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday slammed the NDA-led Centre over the landing of an aircraft carrying US deportees in Amritsar. The C-17 Globemaster III is scheduled to land at Amritsar International Airport on Saturday night carrying 119 Indian nationals. 

Mann slammed the Centre saying the city of Amritsar should not be made a detention or deportation centre. 

"The holy city of Amritsar should not be made a detention or deportation centre. The city of Amritsar is known for the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, Jallianwala Bagh...But they are making us famous for other reasons," Mann said while speaking to reporters. 

"Will they allow (plane carrying alleged immigrants) land in Vatican City?..." he questioned. 

The Punjab CM further questioned if Sheikh Hasina can land at Hindon, Ghaziabad then why can't these Indians. He claimed that Amritsar was being chosen "deliberately" to portray that only Punjabis are illegal immigrants. 

"They (Indian citizens) should be land in the national capital; we will bring our people from there. Amritsar is being chosen deliberately to portray that only Punjabis are illegal migrants," he said.

"Why is Ahmedabad or Ambala not chosen? BJP always conspires to defame Punjab. They don't let international flights operate from Amritsar, claiming that it is not suitable for it, so why are flights coming in from the US now?" he asked. 

"I will strictly oppose this. I demand that the route of the plane should be changed to Delhi, Hindon or Ahmedabad," he said.

BJP Hits Back 

The Bharatiya Janata Party hit back at Mann alleging his government "failed to generate employment in the state." 

"Bhagwant Mann has no right to ask questions but today he has to give answers. He should answer, why is the youth of Punjab leaving Punjab? Is it because AAP has miserably failed to generate employment," said BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill.  

"The Punjabis who are being illegally deported from the United States are victims of fraud agents and fraud, of failed AAP government in Punjab... Bhagwant Mann, rather than creating unnecessary controversies and sensationalising the issue, should focus on how to restore Punjab's glory..." Shergill told ANI.