TWO men detained in an immigration van for eight hours have thanked the people who came to support them.

Sumit Sehdev and Lakhvir Singh have told how they were taken from their flat this morning in an unnounced raid.

Both men, from India, were put in the back of an immigration enforcement van before a man crawled underneath the vehicle to prevent their removal.

Hundreds of people came out to block Kenmure Street, in Pollokshields, and show resistance to the Home Office officials.

Lakhvir spoke this evening to ITV news to say thank you to those who helped.

He said: "[It is] the happiest feeling, the force of all the people coming there to support us.

"Thank you very, very much, thank you to all the people.

"Thank you."

Then, speaking in Punjabi, he told what happened this morning.

Glasgow Times:

He said: "I was taken unannounced from my flat.

"They barged in and took me in to the van

"I was anxious and upset wondering how I would be treated at the immigration centre

"I am so happy that my fate brought me to live here in Glasgow where the people are so connected they will come out on the streets to help one of their own." 

Glasgow Times:

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar is now representing the two men, who were released from the van and taken to a place of safety at a local mosque.