New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of airport security, says the removal of a prosthetic limb before a passenger is screened is mandatory according to Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) rules. The checking cannot be subjective, and if an officer lets passengers through without making them take off their prosthetic limb, he or she can face action. While this is the official line, the security staff posted at airports say that often if they are satisfied about a passenger's identity and disability, they let the person pass without removing the limb.
What this ambiguity—and the fact that the rules are not spelt out clearly because of security reasons—does is create major problems for passengers who have no idea about their rights or the rules. In Suranjana Ghosh Aikara's case, CISF finally allowed her to pass without the prosthetic limb being removed.
"We do not insist on documentation but we have to follow screening standards," said a BCAS official. "However, because these are security measures, these cannot be discussed. There are set protocols which are in keeping with international practices."
12/07/13 Neha Lalchandani/Times of India
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What this ambiguity—and the fact that the rules are not spelt out clearly because of security reasons—does is create major problems for passengers who have no idea about their rights or the rules. In Suranjana Ghosh Aikara's case, CISF finally allowed her to pass without the prosthetic limb being removed.
"We do not insist on documentation but we have to follow screening standards," said a BCAS official. "However, because these are security measures, these cannot be discussed. There are set protocols which are in keeping with international practices."
12/07/13 Neha Lalchandani/Times of India
