One of the men released from the custody of British immigration officials after hundreds of protesters blocked the van he was detained in says he's "so happy" that "fate" brought him to live in Glasgow.
On Thursday, hundreds of people surrounded a van headed to a detention centre and secured the temporary release of two Indian men who had been put inside after a raid on a property on Kenmure Street in the Scottish city.
The UK Home Office van was blockaded by demonstrators for around eight hours.
One protester climbed under the van to stop it from moving, while others chanted "these are our neighbours, let them go."
The men - identified as Sumit Sehdev and Lakhvir Singh - are Indian nationals who have lived in Scotland for a decade but do not have leave to remain, local media reported.
Mr Singh said he was overwhelmed by the support of the Glaswegian protesters.
The protester who climbed under the van to stop it from moving Source: AP
"It is the happiest feeling," he told British broadcaster ITV News. "Thank you very, very much".
"I am so happy that fate brought me to live in Glasgow where the people are so connected that they would come out on the streets to help one of their own."
He told the broadcaster the raid happened without warning.
"I was taken unannounced from my flat. They barged in and took me into the van," he said.
"I was anxious and upset and wondering how I would be treated in a detention centre."
Friday's front-page headline on the pro-Scottish independence National newspaper read: "Glasgow 1 'Team UK' 0".
Police Scotland said it ordered British immigration officials to release the two men in order "to protect the safety, public health and well-being of all people involved in the detention and subsequent protest".
Police and protesters are seen near the immigration van during the standoff Source: AP
Large gatherings are currently banned in Scotland as part of anti-coronavirus measures.
Britain's interior ministry said it would press on with plans to speed up deportations.
"The operation in Glasgow was conducted in relation to suspected immigration offences and the two Indian nationals complied with officers at all times," a spokesperson said.
Additional reporting by Reuters.
