US Deports 119 Indians; Two Arrested on Arrival in Amritsar for Murder Case

Amritsar.

A United States military aircraft carrying the second batch of 119 Indian deportees landed at Sri Guru Ramdas Airport, Amritsar, on Saturday. Among them, two individuals were arrested immediately upon arrival by the Punjab Police for their involvement in a murder case.

Arrests at the Airport

The two arrested men, identified as Sandeep and Pradeep, are cousins from Rajpura town in Patiala district. They were wanted for a murder committed in 2023 and had already been declared proclaimed offenders, according to the police.

A Patiala police team was waiting at the airport and took them into custody as soon as they landed. Police sources revealed that the duo had been booked under IPC sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting), and 149 (unlawful assembly).

Although they were not on a Look Out Circular (LOC), authorities were tracking them since their deportation from the US was confirmed.

US Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants

The deportation comes amid a tough stance on illegal immigration by US authorities. The 119 deportees included:

• 67 from Punjab
• 33 from Haryana
• 8 from Gujarat
• 3 from Uttar Pradesh
• 2 each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan
• 1 each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir

This marks the second batch of Indian deportees sent back by the US. The first batch of 104 Indians was flown to India on February 5, also landing in Amritsar.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Criticism

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his discontent over Amritsar being used as a deportation hub. Speaking at the airport, he said:
“Do not make our holy city (Amritsar) a deport center… Amritsar is known for the Golden Temple, Durgiana Mandir, Ram Tirath temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and Gobindgarh Fort. Will they allow deportation flights to land at Vatican City if deportees hail from there?”

Mann’s remarks highlight Punjab’s growing concerns over deportation flights targeting Amritsar, despite deportees coming from multiple states.

As deportations continue, Indian authorities are working on legal assistance and repatriation policies for returnees while ensuring wanted criminals face justice.