The Indians who were brought to Amritsar by US Army plane were held captive in America for 11 days. These people kept in different camps, were tortured. Along with physical abuse, they were subjected to vulgar abuse. They were shackled on hands, feet, and necks at the airbase. Their faces were covered with black cloth.
They were made to sit with shackles inside the plane. Even to go to urinate, one had to first raise their hand. After that, soldiers would come and take them to the washroom. These people shared with Bhaskar their difficulties from being deported from America until reaching India. Read six stories of such six people… Story-1 I am Akash, I came to India just yesterday. My home is in Karnal, Haryana. I am forever stigmatized as 'Deported from America'. The life Akash has lived in the past 4 days was something he had never imagined. Just 4 days ago in the afternoon, many people along with me were crammed into two buses. We thought maybe they would take us to the welcome office and release us, but we were taken to an American airbase. There was a very large American military aircraft standing there. We were taken off the bus and made to stand in line. The entire face was covered with a mask. After this, shackles were put on hands, feet, and neck. We were being treated as if we were major criminals. An American officer loudly said that we were being sent to India. Then we were asked to board the aircraft. When we were boarding the plane, there were many cameras installed there. American media was gathered. Inside the plane, we were seated with the shackles on. Even if someone had to go to urinate, they had to first raise their hand. After this, soldiers would come and take them to the washroom. Story-2 In America, they were boarded on the plane saying they were being taken to an island. They were handcuffed from the camp itself before boarding the plane. Muskan from Jagraon, Punjab said that after taking off from America, the plane kept circling in the sky for a long time. From the ongoing conversations, it became clear that permission to land in Delhi was not granted. After this, the plane landed in Amritsar. The handcuffs were removed only after landing in India. On the plane, everyone except 4 children under 6 years old was handcuffed. The children were kept with their mothers on the plane. The American soldiers on the plane spoke English that was hard to understand. However, fruits and snacks were provided. When people felt cold, the soldiers helped them with blankets. Story-3 Ankit from Kasan village in Kaithal district said that before bringing them to India, they were taken to an army base from Santiago. At that time, posters from the US government were pasted on the bags hanging on their backs, which read "Indian Flight". At the airbase, officers assured them they would be released, but later when they were seated on the plane, they learned that this flight would go from America to Amritsar, India. That's when they also found out they were being deported. From camping until reaching India, their hands and feet were chained. Story-4 Jaspal Singh from Fatehgarh Churian in Gurdaspur, Punjab, said that he was sent to India after being kept in custody for 11 days. During deportation, he was kept in shackles and was not even told where he was being taken. Only during the journey did he learn that he was being sent back to India. Story-5 According to Gaganpreet Singh from village Digoh in Fatehabad district, they left after 4 AM on February 2. The first journey lasted six hours. After that, they were made to disembark. Then after another six hours of flight, they were made to land. After this, the plane remained in the air for more than 12 hours continuously. They were served rice, chicken, fish, and bread for food. The staff themselves were taking them to the toilet and bringing them back. No Indian was allowed to keep their phone with them. Everyone's phones were made to be kept in their bags. Story-6 Sahil's father Charan Singh, who reached Kaithal, said that when he came to Ambala, Sahil's handcuffs were removed. Then he was dropped home. Punjab Police has also got some documents signed by the family members. The young man is currently in a depression. As people described, Bhaskar artist Sandeep Pal has shown it through a sketch…Original Article