Kalam frisked at IGI airport by US airlines staff

New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) In a breach of protocol,
former Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam was frisked by staff
of an American airline at the IGI airport here in India's
national capital reports of which triggered a political storm
Tuesday with the Union Government ordering a probe into it.

A show cause notice has been issued to Continental
Airlines on why action for "wilful violation" should not be
taken against it, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told
the Rajya Sabha after the issue was raised during Zero Hour.

The minister said he would "personally explain the
position and express regret to Kalam" adding the Bureau of
Civil Aviation Security would take "most stringent action."

Describing it as an "unpardonable act", Patel said an
inquiry has been ordered into the incident involving the
ground security staff of Continental Airlines which subjected
77-year-old Kalam to security check before he was to board a
Newark-bound flight on April 24.

As part of the security check, Kalam had to hand over
his mobile phone and bag before being frisked.

But the airlines refuted the charge of protocol
infringement. In a statement, it said transportation security
administration requirements impose a final security check in
the aerobridge just before boarding the aircraft.

"The procedure is followed by all carriers flying to
the US from most of the countries in the world and there is no
exemption to this rule", it said.

"Security and customer service are key components for
us at Continental Airlines. We believe that Dr.Kalam was not
offended and we would like to thank him again for flying with
us", the statement said adding it was honoured and proud to
have had such a distinguished customer and hoped he has been
"pleased by our service".

VVIPs including President, Vice President, Prime
Minister and former Presidents enjoy immunity from security
checks.

Associating himself with the strong sentiments
expressed in the Rajya Sabha, Patel said, "this act of
frisking the former President is absolutely unpardonable and
beyond the scope of laws of our country".

Responding to Left members' demand that the operation
of Continental Airlines be suspended immediately, he said any
action that India takes would be in consonance with
international practice. "We cannot take action in isolation".

Demanding a probe into the incident, Sitaram Yechury
CPI-M wondered whether the frisking had anything to do with
the name Abdul Kalam. He said if that is so, it is "much more
serious".

Terming the incident as "outrageous", Leader of
Opposition Arun Jaitley said " it is an issue which puts the
whole nation into shame".

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said the government
should seriously raise objections over the incident.

Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan said if there
has been a breach of protocol, action will be taken by the
government after the probe. PTI Team
pmr
NNNN



The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive
use of the addressee(s) and may contain proprietary, confidential or privileged
information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please
notify the sender immediately and destroy
all copies of this message and any attachments contained in it.