Kozhikode: 15 people were booked on murder charge in connection with last night's clash between CISF and AAI personnel in which a jawan was killed at Karipur international airport where flight operations resumed this morning amid tight security.
Kerala Home minister Ramesh Chennithala said an inquiry has been ordered. Forensic officials went to the Karipur airport near here to probe the shooting incident in which CISF jawan Jaipal Yadav was killed.
Airport director Janardhanan said that operations have become normal with two Air India Express flights from the Gulf landing this morning.
The airport was temporarily shut down after the clash between CISF and fire department officials of Airport Authority of India (AAI ) following an argument over frisking of some personnel.
Malappuram Superintendent of Police Debesh Kumar Behara told PTI that cases have been registered against 15 persons under section 302 (murder) of IPC.
He said 10 Fire and Rescue Service personnel of AAI have been “detained”.“The situation is normal. We are providing all support to maintain peace”, he said.
The Union Home Ministry said it is awaiting a report. Home Minster Rajnath Singh said in New Delhi that he had spoken to CISF Director General with regard to the incident. Minister of State Kiren Rijiju said “we will see after getting the report”.
A large posse of police personnel has been deployed at the airport. Police has also viewed the CCTV footage of the incident as part of the investigation.
Anil Bali, CISF Commandant, said they will fully cooperate with police investigation. “Police is investigating the case. They are doing their job very well.
We are brothers in uniform. I am sure they will do whatever is best in a professional manner. They have do their duty. Law will take its own course,” he said.
Passengers, who witnessed the violence, alleged that following the death of a CISF jawan, some CISF personnel went on a rampage chasing away passengers and other officials with lathies.
They were also reports about CISF personnel and Fire force vehicles blocking the runway last night. Police refused to give details saying they were probing the matter.
After the violence, Karipur airport was closed to traffic and 3 flights were diverted to Kochi's Nedumbassery airport, leaving around 400 passengers stranded. Airport security still continues to be with CISF and state police have not taken charge of it, officials said.
After a CISF jawan insisted that an official of the firedepartment of Airport Authority of India (AAI) undergo frisking, a verbal duel ensued which escalated into the violence between personnel of CISF and AAI. According to reports, in the melee, a CISF jawan suffered gun shot injuries.
Police said the body of the slain jawan has been kept at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and will be handed over to CISF authorities after postmortem.
Karipur airport was functioning only partially since last month following runway recarpeting work. Wide bodied aircrafts have been diverted to Kochi since May one.
