Amritsar, February 15
The United States has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants, leading to the deportation of a significant number of Indian nationals. In an unprecedented move, two separate flights carrying deported individuals are set to arrive in India. The first flight is scheduled to land at Amritsar Airport on Saturday, February 15, while the second will arrive the following day, February 16. A majority of the deported individuals are from Punjab.
Political Uproar Over Amritsar Landings
The arrival of these deportation flights has sparked political controversy in Punjab. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly opposed the decision to land the flights in Amritsar, alleging that the central government is attempting to tarnish Punjab’s image. His statement has triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, who accuse him of politicizing the issue rather than addressing the root causes of illegal immigration.
Increased Deportations Compared to Previous Years
Compared to past deportation waves, the current operation involves a higher number of individuals. The flight arriving on February 15 will carry 119 deported Indians, landing at Amritsar Airport at approximately 10 PM. Among them, 67 are from Punjab, with the highest numbers from districts such as Gurdaspur (11), Kapurthala (10), Hoshiarpur (10), and Amritsar (7).
The second flight, arriving on February 16, will transport individuals from various states, including 33 from Haryana, 30 from Punjab, 8 from Gujarat, 3 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
District-Wise Breakdown of Deportees from Punjab
Flight on February 15:
- Amritsar – 6
- Faridkot – 1
- Fatehgarh Sahib – 1
- Ferozepur – 4
- Gurdaspur – 11
- Hoshiarpur – 10
- Jalandhar – 5
- Kapurthala – 10
- Ludhiana – 1
- Moga – 1
- Mohali – 3
- Patiala – 7
- Ropar – 1
- Sangrur – 3
- Tarn Taran – 3
Flight on February 16:
- Amritsar – 4
- Faridkot – 1
- Fatehgarh Sahib – 1
- Ferozepur – 3
- Gurdaspur – 6
- Hoshiarpur – 2
- Jalandhar – 4
- Kapurthala – 3
- Ludhiana – 2
- Nawanshahr – 1
- Mohali – 1
- Patiala – 2
- Sangrur – 1
- Mansa – 2
Illegal Immigration Industry Thrives in Punjab
The large-scale deportations have once again highlighted the issue of illegal immigration in Punjab. Opposition leaders have criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, questioning what actions his government has taken against human traffickers and immigration agents who exploit individuals seeking to migrate abroad. Punjab BJP Vice President Fatehjang Singh Bajwa pointed out that the illegal immigration network in Punjab has become a lucrative industry, with agents charging hefty sums to send people overseas through unauthorized routes.
National Leaders Demand Accountability
BJP National Spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill criticized the Punjab government, stating that the deported individuals are victims of fraudulent immigration agents and the AAP government’s failure to generate employment. He argued that instead of politicizing the issue, the state government should focus on cracking down on these agents and providing job opportunities for Punjab’s youth.
Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla also dismissed Bhagwant Mann’s claims, arguing that the flights landing in Amritsar do not harm Punjab’s reputation. He emphasized that Punjab has a significant Non-Resident Indian (NRI) population, contributing immensely to the state’s economy. He further questioned what steps the state and central governments are taking to curb large-scale migration, stressing the need for employment generation and improved law and order in Punjab.
Congress Questions Central Government’s Actions
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate raised concerns over the choice of Amritsar as the landing destination, pointing out that the previous deportation flights had a higher number of individuals from Gujarat. She questioned why the flight was not directed to Gujarat instead. Additionally, she criticized the central government for failing to address the treatment of deported Indians with U.S. authorities and accused the Modi administration of failing in its foreign policy efforts to protect Indian citizens abroad.
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