M A I N   N E W S

Curbs on VIP movement at airports in poll-bound states
The move is intended to check inflow of black money and arms
Shaurya Karanbir Gurung/TNS

New Delhi, October 16
In view of the upcoming Assembly elections, a different security arrangement will be implemented at all airports in the five poll-bound states to cater to the movement of VIPs. The aim will be to prevent inflow of black money and arms.

The decision to have such a system was taken at a meeting among officials of the Delhi Electoral Office, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other government agencies.

The BCAS is responsible for laying down aviation security standards for airport operators, airlines operators and their security agencies in India. The CISF guards 59 airports across India and conducts pre-boarding checks.

Sources said VIPs would not be allowed to directly enter a “state hangar” at any airport in any state. The state-run aircraft and planes are kept at the hangar. And the VIPs who board these aircraft always enter the airport through the hangar.

During elections, this facility will be withdrawn in the poll-bound states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram and Delhi. “The VIPs would now have to enter the airport through the security-hold area,” sources said.

The entry points to a state hangar are guarded by the state police. “Suppose, a minister from a state who is exempted from the security check walks into the hangar. A guard from the state police will not check him, but he also may not check the minister’s family. In such situations, anybody can walk into the hangar with arms, ammunition and things that are prohibited at an airport,” sources maintained.

On the other hand, the entry points in the “security-hold area” are guarded by the CISF. Only 32 persons, including the Prime Minister, former PMs, the President and Special Protection Group protectees are exempted from frisking. However, members of their entourage enjoyed no such exemption. The EC will provide the flight schedule of politicians to the state police.

“If a chartered helicopter is transporting politicians, the flight schedule will be given by the ECI to the state police. If the chopper makes an unscheduled landing en route, the state police of that particular location will quickly move towards the chopper and inquire if any persons who had not boarded earlier are in the aircraft and if any illegal equipment such as arms and black money is kept inside the aircraft,” sources said.

Keeping a check

• VIPs will not be allowed direct entry into the hangar at any airport in any poll-bound state
• They will now have to enter the airport through the "security-hold area"
• Only 32 persons, including the PM, former PMs, the President and Special Protection Group protectees are exempted from frisking