Indian government defends deportation flights amid Punjab CM’s objections

New Delhi: The Indian government has defended the landing of US military planes deporting illegal Indian immigrants, following objections from Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Officials stated that a majority of the deported individuals were from Punjab.

Of the 333 Indians repatriated on US military flights, 126 were from Punjab, 110 from Haryana, and 74 from Gujarat, according to government sources. The remaining deportees included individuals from Uttar Pradesh (8), Maharashtra (5), Himachal Pradesh (2), Chandigarh (2), Rajasthan (2), Goa (2), Jammu and Kashmir (1), and Uttarakhand (1).

Three flights carrying deported Indians arrived in India on February 5, 15, and 16, bringing back 262 men, 42 women, and 29 minors. Since May 2020, 21 such flights have landed in Amritsar.

The opposition has criticized the treatment of deportees, alleging they were handcuffed and restrained. They have urged the Indian government to raise the issue with US authorities.