Debbie Abrahams "deported" from India

Debbie Abrahams

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has been refused entry to India.

The MP said she was "treated like a criminal" after she was "physically marched" onto a return flight when authorities said her visa was rejected.
 
Ms Abrahams arrived at Delhi Airport this morning wher she was told that the e-visa that had been issued last October - and was valid until October 2020 - had been rejected.

The MP said her documents were refused at the immigration desk and her passport was taken by an official.

Ms Abrahams said: “When he came back he was very rude and aggressive shouting at me to ‘come with me'. I told him not to speak to me like that and was then taken to a cordoned off area marked as a Deportee Cell.

“He then ordered me to sit down and I refused. I didn’t know what they might do or where else they may take me, so I wanted people to see me."

The Oldham MP asked a family member to contact the British High Commission but they were unable to explain why the visa had been revoked.

Ms Abrahams continued: “Even the person who seemed to be in charge said he didn’t know and was really sorry about what had happened. So now I am just waiting to be deported, unless the Indian Government has a change of heart.

“I’m prepared to let the fact that I’ve been treated like a criminal go, and I hope they will let me visit my family and friends.”

The MP was put on a flight to return to Dubai to pick up a connecting flight to Pakistan.

Ms Abrahams is Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir, and has previously criticised the Indian government on their policy on the disputed  Kashmir region.

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