US military aircraft C-17 carrying the first batch of 104 illegal immigrants landed at Amritsar Airport on Wednesday afternoon. As soon as US Aircraft touched down at Amritsar Airport multiple photos were shared on social media with the claims that Indian immigrants were chained and handcuffed inside the US military aircraft. However, the Centre's PIB fact-checked a picture shared by a Pro-Congress social media user stating that the viral picture belongs to people going to Guatemala.
However, U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks took to his X handle and shared the video of illegal Indian immigrants boarding the US aircraft. The video was shared with the caption, "USBP and partners successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals. If you cross illegally, you will be removed."
The video clearly showcased that people boarding the flight were in chains and handcuffs. Therefore, it somewhat exposes Centre's reluctance to accept that Indians who were deported from the US were treated in a very poor manner in the flight.
As per reports, From St. Antonio Airport in Texas to India, the Indian immigrants travelled for 40 hours in shackles. Some people told the media that they were asked to remain seated in one place in the plane. They were not allowed to go to the washroom. When people insisted, the crew of the plane took them to the washroom and pushed them inside after opening the door. Reports further suggest that the deportees were given very little food, which they had to eat with their hands tied. Women and children were also among those deported. The plane stopped at four places between America and India for refueling, but the people sitting inside were not allowed to get out of the plane.
Ruckus in Parliament on US deportation
The Congress on Thursday submitted adjournment motions in the Lok Sabha, demanding an urgent discussion on the deportation of over 100 illegal Indian immigrants by the United States (US) and urged the Centre to clarify its stance and outline diplomatic efforts being made to ensure the dignified treatment of deported individuals.
The Indian nationals who were deported from the US for illegally arriving in the country on Wednesday claimed that they were sent back on the military aircraft with their hands and legs cuffed throughout the journey.
Congress MPs KC Venugopal, Gaurav Gogoi, and Manickam Tagore moved the motions, stressing the need to "urgently address the issue to prevent further dehumanisation" and to "uphold the dignity" of the deported Indians.