Amritsar: Over 100 Indian migrants deported from the United States have accused US officials of keeping them shackled throughout a grueling 40-hour flight home. According to reports, detainees endured physical discomfort and humiliation, raising concerns over human rights violations.
Shackled Throughout the Journey
Akashdeep Singh, a 23-year-old deportee, described the distressing experience upon landing in Punjab on Wednesday.
“Our hands were cuffed, and our ankles were tied with chains before we boarded the flight,” Singh said. “We asked officials to remove them for meals and bathroom use, but they refused. They treated us without any respect or consideration.”
Another passenger, 35-year-old Sukhpal Singh, shared a similar ordeal. “Even when our legs swelled due to the restraints, they yelled at us to stay seated,” he recounted. The shackles remained throughout the journey, including during a refueling stop on Guam.
A Flight Like No Other
A US official confirmed that this was the longest deportation flight conducted using military aircraft since the Trump administration expanded migrant deportations. The treatment of detainees has drawn comparisons to recent incidents involving deportees from other nations.
Global Reactions and Protests
Last month, similar footage of shackled Colombian deportees boarding a US plane triggered diplomatic tensions. Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially refused to allow the aircraft to land.
In India, opposition lawmakers staged protests outside Parliament on Thursday, with some demonstrators wearing shackles to symbolize the treatment of the deportees.
India Seeks Answers
Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar assured lawmakers that the government was addressing the issue. “We are engaging with the US government to ensure that deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight,” he stated.
Calls for Human Rights Compliance
Human rights organizations have condemned the use of shackles, citing potential violations of international norms. Experts argue that such treatment is excessive and dehumanizing, calling for immediate policy changes in deportation procedures.
As deportations continue under strict US immigration policies, pressure is mounting on officials to adopt more humane treatment methods. The global response to these allegations may shape future immigration enforcement strategies and diplomatic relations between the US and India.
