Mumbai: Security at the airport was seriously compromised when two entry gates were left unmanned for almost four hours after a scuffle between Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and customs officials on Wednesday afternoon. Vehicles carrying food and equipment for flights were stranded for a while till they were diverted to alternative entry points.
CISF personnel withdrew from the gates after customs officials conducted a surprise check on two CISF vans around 3.30pm and seized them. Customs acted on a tip-off that the vans were carrying contraband material, said sources. "They did not find any contraband substance, but during verification, they found that one of the vans did not have an entry permit for the airport. The other van had an expired licence," said an official.
Customs detained the vehicles and informed the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). In the meantime, the driver of one of the vehicles tried to forcibly drive the van out of the airport precincts, but was stopped by the officials, said an airport source.
04/10/12 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India
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CISF personnel withdrew from the gates after customs officials conducted a surprise check on two CISF vans around 3.30pm and seized them. Customs acted on a tip-off that the vans were carrying contraband material, said sources. "They did not find any contraband substance, but during verification, they found that one of the vans did not have an entry permit for the airport. The other van had an expired licence," said an official.
Customs detained the vehicles and informed the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). In the meantime, the driver of one of the vehicles tried to forcibly drive the van out of the airport precincts, but was stopped by the officials, said an airport source.
04/10/12 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India
