KOZHIKODE: In a breach of security, a group of CISF personnel, apparently agitated over the death of a colleague in the violence at the Karipur airport here last night, went on the rampage and destroyed airport property.
CCTV visuals of the violence unleashed were aired today by television channels, which showed a group of 10 to 15 CISF personnel, both in uniform and in plainclothes, smashing window panes stones and batons.
They pulled down an expensive painting from the wall, broke lights and window panes, creating mayhem after the news of the death of jawan Jaipal Yadav spread.
In the unprecedented violence at the Karipur airport near here, a CISF jawan was killed and three others were injured when a service revolver went off during a clash between CISF personnel and Fire force officers of AAI.
The footage showed a man, claimed to be a CISF official in mufti, directing his men to destroy the property around, while another in uniform was seen smashing a windown pane by stamping it with his boot and baton.
Taking a serious view of the incident, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the CCTV footage was being examined and after that action will be taken.
Since last night, a special squad of Kerala police is camping at the airport, where the situation is now under control, he said.
Karipur airport was closed for over six hours since last night and became operational this morning.
Meanwhile, two fire force officials of the AAI today denied the charge that they had tried to snatch the rifle from a CISF jawan, which led to the accidental firing leading to the death of one person.
Their statement was recorded by the state police.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy described the incident as 'unfortunate'.
He said a meeting will be called to review the security system at state's airports to ensure such incidents do not recur.
Opposition leader in the assembly, V S Achuthanandan, slammed both the Centre and state governments for the breach of security at the airport.
CPI-M state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the shocking incident showed the collapse of law and order situation in the state. The collector should have taken control of the situation, he said.
A high level meeting of AAI and Civil Aviation authorities will be held tomorrow to go into the incident and to take further action against those responsible.
