Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday launched a fresh attack on the BJP over the logic given by saffron party leaders on landing deported Indians at Amritsar Airport. On Friday, CM Mann had slammed the Modi Government for landing deported Indians from the US at Amritsar Airport. Mann had accused the BJP government of trying to tarnish the image of Punjab by landing the deportees in Amritsar. In response, BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh in a post wrote, 'Amritsar is the closest international airport for flights entering India from the USA. That’s why the US plane carrying illegal immigrants is landing there.'
During the press conference on Saturday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann responded to it and said, "Amritsar is near that why the US planes are landing? Then if we ask them to start direct flights to America, then also it is near right? Then start flights to America from here. It will save us 10 hours that it takes to travel to Delhi just to board a flight for the US. Why don't they start flights for the US and Canada from her (Amritsar)? Is this even logic? Hasn't Trump filled the petrol of 35 minutes more? Delhi is only 35 minutes away from here by air."
"The flight (carrying alleged illegal Indian immigrants) should be diverted...They should land the plan in Delhi or Hindon...Allowing the military plane of a country like the USA to land in the border state, poses a big threat to the national security...Why are they choosing Amritsar, Punjab only?" said CM Mann.
CM Mann further said, "..The holy city of Amritsar should not be made a detention or deport centre. The city of Amritsar is known for the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, Jallianwala Bagh...But they are making us famous for other reasons... Will they allow (plane carrying alleged immigrants) land in Vatican City?"
CM Mann further announced food and accommodations of deportees who will land in Amritsar today and tomorrow. "They are our people who are coming. We have made arrangements for their food and accommodation here," announced CM Mann.