Kozhikode Airport reopens after clashes in which one CISF personnel was killed

Kozhikode: Hours after it was shut down due to a firing incident which killed an official of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the Karipur International Airport in Kerala has been reopened. The first flight has landed at the airport.

The CISF personnel died following a scuffle between security staff and Airport Authority of India officials on Wednesday. Two Airport Authority of India officials were also injured.

The dispute ensued after the CISF officer stopped an airport official at the VIP gate insisting for a body search. The airport officials grabbed the CISF personnel's gun which accidently went off. Around 400 passengers were left stranded at the airport as flights were diverted to Kochi.

"There is some scuffle betwen the jawan and airport official. There was lot of commotion. It is over and the situation is under control," Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said.

Confirming the death of the CISF personnel, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said ADGP (North) Shankar Reddy had rushed to the spot. The Malappuram Superintendent of Police has also reached the airport and has begun talks with the CISF personnel.

Kozhikode MP, M K Raghavan said he had contacted Home Secretary L C Goyal and the civil aviation joint secretary, seeking urgent intervention of the Centre. "It is a war like situation prevailing at the airport," he said.

Meanwhile, Airport Authority Employees' Union (AAEU) claimed that excessive frisking by CISF staff led to clash. "Though it (checking) is a routine, but today when AAI personnel were entering the airport, apart from normal frisking, they were even asked to open their lunch boxes, this led to some argument and then heated exchange of words," AAEU General Secretary B S Ahlawat said.

Alleging that the firing was aimed at AAI personnel, he said AAI personnel have not shut the airport operations rather they are saving themselves from CISF personnel who have in a way occupied the airport.

There are around 150 AAI staff posted at the airport, of which 40 are with airport fire service.