The Punjab government has taken a strong stance against illegal immigration, cancelling the licences of 40 travel agents in Amritsar. This move comes in the wake of a media investigation that exposed fraudulent travel agents charging exorbitant fees to facilitate illegal migration to the United States.
The authorities have launched a major crackdown on these agents, particularly those linked to recently deported Indian citizens.
The crackdown was carried out following an order by Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahni. The action was taken after more than 300 Indian nationals, deported from the US and Panama, arrived back in the country earlier this month.
To further tighten regulations, the Amritsar Police have also issued notices to 271 travel agents in the city who failed to renew their licences.
Sub-Divisional Magistrates have been tasked with inspecting the documents of travel agents and immigration consultants to ensure compliance with the law. The district police have been directed to report any complaints against travel agents to the Deputy Commissioner's office.
Travel agents have also been ordered to maintain proper records and ensure they operate only with valid documentation. Strict action will be taken against unauthorised operators.
Sources indicate that a sting operation is underway to uncover more fraudulent practices. Additionally, new police personnel have been assigned in the past 48 hours as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement.
The authorities have signalled that further action against unscrupulous travel agents will follow in the coming days.
Earlier this month, as US military planes transported deportees back to India, it was revealed that 131 out of the 345 deported individuals were from Punjab.
In response, the Punjab government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Praveen Sinha. The SIT has been actively tracking down fraudulent travel agents operating in the state.
According to Sinha, of the 131 individuals deported from the US, only 17 have come forward to file complaints against the agents who facilitated their illegal migration. So far, 17 cases have been registered, and three travel agents have been arrested.
He also assured that the paperwork of travel agents across Punjab is being thoroughly reviewed, and awareness campaigns are being conducted to discourage illegal migration.
Punjab has a regulatory system under the state’s Travel Professions Regulation Act, which oversees travel agents, ticketing services, and consultancy businesses.
Since the act's implementation, 3,300 cases have been registered, most of them involving unlicensed travel agents. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to taking strict action against fraudulent agents.
NRI Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal emphasised that the government is acting on complaints and has already filed 17 FIRs against illegal travel agents from February 5 to 23. He reiterated that anyone who submits a written complaint will receive government support in seeking justice.
Congress MLA Bawa Henry acknowledged that migration in search of better opportunities is a longstanding practice in Punjab. However, he stressed the importance of creating an environment where youth are not forced to leave their homeland due to a lack of education and employment opportunities.
He called for a legal migration framework, suggesting collaboration between the government and travel agents to facilitate lawful immigration.
Henry also highlighted how the problem, initially concentrated in the Doaba region, has now spread to Malwa and Majha. He expressed concerns over the long-term effectiveness of FIRs, arguing that deeper systemic changes are needed to address the issue.
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