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Chandigarh: As many as 54 Indian nationals, 50 of whom are from Haryana, were deported from the US for allegedly entering the country illegally, IANS reported.
However, they were made to endure the 25-hour flight in shackles, even inside toilets, it is learned.
The deportees arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Flight OAE-4767 on Saturday night, officials said.
One among the deportees, named Harjinder Singh Ambala, said that he was shackled for 25 hours on the flight and even sent to the washroom in chains. He said that his feet were swollen and the pain went up to his knees. He said that he was no criminal but was just working hard to earn money, Hindustan Times reported.
More deportees informed that they were kept legcuffed and handcuffed throughout the long journey, including meals and washroom breaks. They were forced to sleep in freezing temperatures at a detention centre, and they struggled for food.
According to the report, many of the deportees went to the US, draining their family savings, selling properties or taking loans, hoping to build a better life in the US.
According to officials, among the 53 deportees, 16 were from Karnal, followed by 14 from Kaithal, five each from Ambala and Kurukshetra, four from Yamunanagar, three from Jind, and one each from Rohtak, Panipat, Panchkula, Fatehabad and Sonepat, HT reported.
When many Indian leaders strongly came down on the inhumane treatment of the immigrants, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar commented against the deportees on the US’s anti-human conduct. Khattar said that if the US used shackles, it is their decision and it is not right for India to comment.