Kolkata, 18 February (H.S.) – West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condemned the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the United States in chains, calling it shameful. Addressing the state assembly on Tuesday, she criticized the central government for failing to ensure a dignified repatriation process for these citizens.

Banerjee expressed strong disapproval of the inhumane conditions under which the deportees were sent back to India. Bringing back deportees in chains is disgraceful. This is a matter of deep concern. The central government should have used its own transport aircraft to bring them back rather than allowing them to be treated this way, she stated.

Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee questioned his inaction. Honorable Prime Minister, did you take responsibility for this? While you were in the U.S., illegal Indian immigrants were deported in chains. You could have at least said, 'These are our citizens, and we will bring them back with dignity.' But no such step was taken, she remarked.

While refraining from commenting on national security and foreign policy matters, the Chief Minister insisted that the Indian government should have ensured proper treatment for its citizens. If our people were stranded there, it was our duty to bring them back respectfully, she said.

Banerjee also pointed out that if any of the deportees were from Bengal, the state government should have been informed. If any of them belonged to Bengal, we should have been told. We would have arranged for their return ourselves, she asserted.

Her statement comes amid reports that several illegal Indian immigrants, including people from West Bengal, were deported from the U.S. in shackles, sparking widespread criticism.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh