US plane carrying 119 Indian immigrants lands in Amritsar
What's the story
A United States military aircraft, carrying 119 Indian immigrants, landed at Amritsar International Airport on Saturday.
This is the second deportation flight from the US to India in 10 days, as part of President Donald Trump's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.
The first flight had arrived on February 5 with 104 Indian nationals onboard.
Meanwhile, a third plane, carrying 157 deportees, is scheduled to land on Sunday.
Political backlash
Deportees' treatment sparks controversy in India
Of the total deportees, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
Earlier, the deportees were handcuffed during the flight and released after they landed in India.
This treatment has sparked a political storm in India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government is taking up the matter with the US to ensure deportees aren't mistreated.
State response
Punjab CM criticizes central government's deportation handling
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited Amritsar airport and made arrangements to send Punjab residents among the deportees to their hometowns.
However, he slammed the central government for using Amritsar as a "deport center," and suggested Delhi or Ahmedabad as alternative landing sites.
Opposition leaders have also condemned the treatment meted out to deportees, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge alleging they were treated "even worse than garbage."
Diplomatic talks
PM Modi discusses illegal immigration with President Trump
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently raised the issue of illegal immigration with President Trump during his US visit.
Modi stressed on India's commitment to repatriating its citizens living illegally abroad while calling for efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks.
Separately, the US Embassy in India had defended its actions by saying that enforcing immigration laws is crucial for national security and public safety.