Wanted for murder, 2 deportees from US arrested at Amritsar
What's the story
Two youths from Rajpura in Patiala district, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny and Pradeep Singh were arrested at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar.
They were among the 116 people deported by the United States on a C-17 aircraft that landed on Saturday night.
The suspects were wanted in a murder case registered in June 2023.
Arrest confirmation
Arrest confirmed by Senior Superintendent of Police
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh confirmed their arrest.
The case was initially registered against Sandeep and four others, and Pradeep's name was added to the FIR during the investigation.
A police team led by the SHO of Rajpura police station was dispatched to apprehend them on their arrival.
Immigration crackdown
Deportation part of US crackdown on illegal immigrants
The deportation flight was the second batch of Indians deported after February 5, as part of the US administration's crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Among the deportees, Daljit Singh claimed they were "handcuffed" and "legs were chained" during the journey.
He alleged being deceived by a travel agent who promised a direct flight to the US but instead took him via an illegal route called the 'donkey route.'
Agent arrest
Travel agent arrested for facilitating illegal immigration
Meanwhile, Punjab Police's NRI affairs wing also arrested Anil Batra, a travel agent from Patiala, for allegedly facilitating illegal immigration for one of the deportees.
A third plane carrying 157 deportees is expected to land soon.
Concurrently, the deportations have caused a political slugfest with Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann claiming that choosing Amritsar for landing the deportation flights was a ploy to "malign" Punjab and the state's people's name.