Daijiworld Media Network- Amritsar

Amritsar, Feb 15: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday strongly opposed the Central Government’s decision to use Amritsar as the landing site for flights carrying deported Indians from the United States. He stated that the holy city should not be turned into a "detention or deport centre."

Addressing a press conference in Amritsar, CM Mann expressed his displeasure, saying, "Amritsar is a city known for the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, and Jallianwala Bagh. But now, they are trying to associate it with deportations. Would they allow such flights to land in Vatican City?"

Raising security concerns, Mann suggested that such flights should be diverted to Delhi or Hindon airport instead. He questioned the rationale behind allowing "a military plane from a country like the USA to land in a border state, as it poses a serious security threat."

Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed Mann’s objections, arguing that Amritsar is simply the most practical international airport for flights arriving from the USA. BJP leader RP Singh, in a post on X, stated, "Amritsar is the closest international airport for such flights. Stop politicizing the issue and promoting baseless conspiracy theories."

CM Mann, however, alleged that the centre was deliberately targeting Punjab, accusing the BJP-led government of a "conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis." He questioned why Amritsar was chosen over Delhi, suggesting that the decision was politically motivated.

"The ministry of external affairs must clarify its criteria for selecting Amritsar for these flights. This move is aimed at tarnishing Punjab’s image," he said.