As the arrival of Gujarati immigrants deported from the United States to Ahmedabad continues, with the third C-17 Globemaster military aircraft offloading 33 more individuals on Monday, questions are being raised about the Gujarat Police’s delayed investigation into the traffickers allegedly responsible for facilitating the illegal crossing of the international border.
Gujarat’s police have not yet begun looking into the human trafficking network that allegedly enabled the deportees’ unlawful migration despite the state’s authorities making it apparent that they had no plans to prosecute them under Indian law.
Gujarat police chief Vikas Sahay told media outlets that the deportees are being “given time” as they “have come after a traumatic experience”.
Interestingly, law enforcement officials in Punjab and Haryana have already started investigating the issue and made several arrests.
The deportees, part of a group of 112 Indians sent back from the US, were transported to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad, marking the third such deportation flight since February 5. This latest batch brings the total number of Gujarati residents sent back to 74, with previous flights carrying 33 and eight individuals, respectively.
On February 5, US Border Patrol Chief Michael W Banks posted a video on social media showing Indian deportees being transported in handcuffs and shackles, which sparked an outcry in the Indian Parliament. In his post, Banks made it clear that the deportations were part of a broader effort to enforce US immigration laws, warning that “if you cross illegally, you will be removed.”
As with previous deportations, local police from Gujarat were at the airport to receive the deportees. The latest group of 33 belong to Mehsana, Gandhinagar, and Ahmedabad districts. Deportees who were sent back in the earlier plane were mostly from Surat, Vadodara, Patan, Bharuch and Banaskantha.
The situation has sparked concern among lawmakers and human rights activitis, who are demanding a thorough investigation into the networks that facilitate human smuggling into the US. Whatever the reasons be, the Gujarat Police’s inaction will continue to be questioned, especially in light of the proactive actions being taken by Punjabi and Haryana authorities.
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