MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday strongly criticized the NDA-led central government over the landing of a US deportation flight in Amritsar. The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, carrying 119 Indian nationals, was scheduled to arrive at Amritsar International Airport on Saturday night.
"Amritsar Should Not Be Made a Deportation Centre": Mann
Expressing his displeasure, Mann accused the Centre of deliberately choosing Amritsar for deportation flights, implying that the move unfairly targets Punjabis as illegal immigrants.
"The holy city of Amritsar should not be made a detention or deportation centre. Amritsar is known for the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, and Jallianwala Bagh… but they are trying to make us famous for other reasons," Mann told reporters.
Questioning the Centre’s decision, he asked:
"Would they allow a plane carrying alleged immigrants to land in Vatican City?"
Mann further stated that if Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina could land at Hindon, Ghaziabad, then there was no reason why Indian deportees couldn't land in Delhi or other major cities.
"Why is Amritsar being deliberately chosen? This is being done to portray that only Punjabis are illegal migrants. If this is not a conspiracy to defame Punjab, then why not choose Ahmedabad or Ambala?" he asked.
Mann also accused the BJP of hypocrisy, stating that the party refuses to allow international flights from Amritsar, claiming it is unsuitable for such operations, yet is now allowing deportation flights from the US to land there.
"I will strictly oppose this. I demand that the flight route be changed to Delhi, Hindon, or Ahmedabad," Mann declared.
BJP Hits Back, Blames AAP for Punjab's Unemployment
Responding to Mann’s accusations, the BJP alleged that the AAP government had failed to generate employment, forcing Punjab’s youth to seek illegal migration routes.
"Bhagwant Mann has no right to ask questions—he should be answering them. Why is Punjab’s youth leaving the state? Is it because AAP has failed to generate employment?" said BJP spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill.
Shergill blamed fraudulent immigration agents and poor governance for the rise in illegal migration from Punjab.
"The Punjabis being deported from the US are victims of fraud and the failed AAP government in Punjab. Instead of creating unnecessary controversies, Mann should focus on restoring Punjab’s glory," he told ANI.
As the political battle over the deportation flight intensifies, the Centre has yet to officially respond to Mann’s demand for rerouting the plane.
