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Second plane with deportees set to land in Amritsar, Mann: ‘is this the gift Modi bringing from US’

Sees ploy to 'defame Punjab, Punjabis' in choice of airport, asks MEA to divert flight

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Sources said an aircraft is expected to land with the second group of deportees who, unlike those on the first flight, will likely not be in chains. (PTI file photo)

Indian Immigrants Deported from US Update: With a second aircraft carrying 119 deported Indiana set to arrive at Amritsar airport Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in the United States, and asked whether he was bringing a “gift” from the country. Mann also questioned the choice of airport and asked the union Ministry of External Affairs to divert it away from Amritsar.

“The BJP-led Centre always discriminates against Punjab. It does not let go of any chance of defaming Punjab. They first aircraft carrying deportees landed at Amritsar airport. Now the second plane too will land there. Why? What is the criterion for choosing Amritsar? The Centre and Ministry of External Affairs should tell me. Why did you choose Amritsar and not the national capital? You did this to defame Punjab and Punjabis. It is a deliberate attempt so that it appears that only Punjabis migrate illegally,” said Mann.

Stating that “deportation is a national problem”, Mann said the MEA must intervene and get the route of the aircraft changed to any other city.

The second flight is expected to arrive at Amritsar airport between 10 pm and 11 pm, Saturday. According to sources, those on board include 67 from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and one passenger each from Goa, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

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In the first batch, US had deported 104 Indians including 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat and 30 from Punjab.

Further attacking Centre, Mann said, “When Sheikh Hasina fled from Bangladesh, she was made to land at Hindon airport and not at Delhi International airport citing strategic reasons. Why are deportees not being received at Hindon airport?”

Addressing a press conference, Mann the deportation comes at a time when Modi is giving “jaadu ki jhappi” (hug) to US President Donald Trump. “They are speaking on Artificial Intelligence and tariffs and at the same time the US authorities must have been chaining up our citizens to send them to India. Modi claims to be friends with Trump. Is Modi coming from his US visit with gift of deported Indians,” he asked.

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Replying to a question, Mann said he will be receive the deportees at the airport with utmost respect. “You will not see any representative from the Centre to receive the deportees,” he added.

Also Read | Indians deported from US: 2 more FIRs registered against travel agents, tally touches 10

The Punjab CM also targeted the media, saying when the previous flight landed on February 5, none of the people from Gujarat were interviewed. “Did you see any interviews of the deportees from Gujarat on national television? Only the interviews of Punjab’s youths were shown. Even tomorrow, you (media) will go there to take their interview,” he said.

“Punjab meets the nation’s food needs, we are the food bowl of India, we (Punjabis) gave the maximum sacrifices during the country’s freedom movement. Bhagat Singh was sure that India would become Independent, but he was concerned about whose hands the country would go into after gaining freedom,” he said.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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