Congress slams Punjab’s AAP govt over illegal immigration as second US deportee flight heads to Amritsar

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised the Centre for directing the flights to Amritsar rather than other cities, while Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa targeted the Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for failing to curb human trafficking over the past three years, reported India Today.

Bajwa pointed to the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012, which aims to regulate travel agents and curb illegal migration.

Questioning the state government’s enforcement of the law, he asked, "Can Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home Portfolio, let the Punjabis know how many travel agents have been booked under the same law in the last three years?"

Lack of action on human trafficking

In response to the growing concern, the Punjab Police recently set up a four-member Special Investigation Team to examine the issue of illegal migration.

However, Bajwa remained critical, citing Mann's remark that illegal immigration was a "national issue" and arguing that this did not absolve the state government of responsibility.

"Stopping the brain drain was a key promise of AAP’s election campaign, yet the problem persists," he said, according tothe report.

The term "brain drain" refers to the large-scale emigration of skilled professionals seeking better opportunities abroad.

No support for deportees

Bajwa also highlighted the lack of assistance for those deported.

"The government has done little to support them. There is no rehabilitation programme or compensation. No assurances have been given that those deceived by illegal travel agents will receive refunds," he said, referring to the first flight that landed ten days ago with 104 deportees—30 of whom were from Punjab, according to the report.

Chief Minister Mann had earlier announced that his government would receive the deportees arriving today, but Bajwa dismissed this as mere political posturing. "Without a concrete plan for their rehabilitation, this is nothing more than a stunt," he remarked.

Concerns over deportees' treatment

Bajwa also condemned the treatment of deportees on the previous flight, alleging that they were "handcuffed and shackled, denied access to washrooms, and subjected to harsh treatment."

He further questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not raise the issue with then-US President Donald Trump during his recent visit to the United States. "Is this how the dignity of Indian citizens is to be upheld?" he asked.