By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy Tuesday asked for an impartial inquiry into an alleged manhandling by a foreign national of the immigration counter staff at the Thiruvananthapuram airport early Saturday morning.
The foreign national and his Keralite friend jumped the queue at the immigration counter and and manhandled the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) peronnel who sought to discipline them. However, the two were later let off by the Kerala police.
The attack on the CISF personnel as well as the leninent handling of the incident by the Kerala police has created furore in the political circles in the state.
Chandy said it was a shame that the Kerala police let off two people who attacked the security officials.
“The CISF officials gave a written complaint and it is strange that the police on duty did not even take the elementary action of taking proper legal measures against the two,” Chandy said.
“All that the two were charged with was a petty case, and were let off. What is more important is that one was a foreign national and it happened at a time when airports are designated as areas of high security,” Chandy stressed.
Meanwhile, media reports have emerged that the police refused to take any action as the two – an Egyptian Ahmmed Mohammed and Keralite businessman Madathil Reghu – were close to the son of Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
Denying his son’s role in the controversy, Balakrishnan said he has asked for a factual report from the police.
CISF Commandant K.C.S. Rai refused to comment.
The Intelligence Bureau has enquired into the incident and forwarded its report to the government.