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Punjab Ministers meet illegal Indian immigrants as US plane carrying second batch of 116 deportees lands in Amritsar

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured that the deportees would be treated with dignity and that all necessary arrangements had been made for their stay in Amritsar before their onward journey.

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Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO met with Indian immigrants deported from the United States upon their arrival at Amritsar Airport on Sunday, February 16. This marks the second batch of deportees to land in Amritsar since U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, as part of his administration’s tightened immigration policies.

The deportees, who had allegedly entered the U.S. illegally, were sent back on a U.S. military aircraft. They are now being transported to their respective states. Earlier, on February 5, a U.S. Air Force plane carrying over 100 Indian nationals had also landed in Amritsar, sparking a political uproar in India.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured that the deportees would be treated with dignity and that all necessary arrangements had been made for their stay in Amritsar before their onward journey.

“Our kids are the ones coming here, so no one will go hungry. We have made arrangements for their stay. They will remain here for a few hours before being sent to their respective states, as flights have already been booked by the Ministry of External Affairs,” Mann said during a press conference in Amritsar on Saturday.

Mann also criticized the central government for choosing Amritsar as the landing site, alleging a conspiracy to “defame Punjab and Punjabis.” He questioned the criteria behind the decision, asking, “The MEA should tell the criteria based on which Amritsar was selected to land the aircraft. You select Amritsar to defame Punjab.”

The deportees, including women and children, were reportedly handcuffed, had their feet tied with ropes, and their faces covered with masks, drawing widespread condemnation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a joint press conference with President Trump earlier this week, expressed India’s willingness to take back its nationals living illegally in the U.S. and emphasized the need to dismantle the ecosystem of human trafficking.

“Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the U.S. are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and truly citizens of India—if they live in the U.S. illegally, India is ready to take them back,” Modi stated.

He highlighted that many of the deportees come from ordinary families and are misled by human traffickers. “Our bigger fight is against the entire ecosystem of human trafficking, and we are confident that President Trump will fully cooperate with India in finishing this ecosystem,” Modi added.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a statement to the Rajya Sabha on February 6, reiterated India’s commitment to ensuring that deportees are not mistreated. He emphasized that it is the obligation of all nations to take back their nationals found residing illegally abroad and assured that the Indian government is engaging with U.S. authorities to address the issue.

The deportations have sparked a heated political debate in India, with opposition leaders criticizing the treatment of the returnees and questioning the central government’s handling of the situation. As the issue continues to unfold, the focus remains on addressing the root causes of illegal migration and ensuring the welfare of those affected.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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