'Deliberate move to defame Punjab': Punjab CM Mann slams Centre over deportation flights landing in Amritsar; BJP hits back
PTC News Desk: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised came down heavily on Centre over landing of deportation flights carrying illegal immigrants from India in Amritsar.
As two more flights are set to arrive in Amritsar on February 15 and 16, CM Mann has raised doubts whether this was a deliberate attempt to defame Punjab and asked if this was a "gift" from Donald Trump to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to the US.
He also highlighted that Pakistan, an enemy country of India, is very near to Amritsar, posing a threat.
"There is a conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis. The first plane landed in Amritsar. Now, a second plane (carrying Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the US) will land in Amritsar. The MEA should tell the criteria based on which Amritsar was selected to land the aircraft. You select Amritsar to defame Punjab. 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? America's military planes are landing in Amritsar, and an enemy country, Pakistan, is right next to it. Lahore is 40 km from there. What kind of foreign policy is this?" the Punjab CM said.
Meanwhile BJP refuted Punjab Chief Minister's claims and accused him of exploiting the issue merely for political gains.
"Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should avoid doing politics on such sensitive issues. AAP leaders do not care about the security of the country; they only do politics," BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said.
The issue of deportation has sparked political debate in India, with the opposition accusing the government of inhumane treatment of deportees, including allegations of them being handcuffed and shackled. In response, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified in Parliament that the US has been deporting undocumented immigrants for years and presented year-wise data to support his statement.
- PTC NEWS
