Nepal pledges better safety in wake of IA hijack trauma
December 23rd, 2009 - 3:42 pm ICT by IANS ( 2 comments )By Sudeshna Sarkar
Kathmandu, Dec 23 (IANS) Recovering from the trauma of the sensational hijack of an Indian Airlines aircraft 10 years ago, Nepal’s civil aviation authorities say they have learnt from the past experience and strengthened security measures at the country’s only international airport.
The hijacking had ended with the brutal killing of a passenger and the release of three Islamic terrorists by India in exchange for the safe release of the remaining passengers.
“We regret the incident 10 years ago,” said Dinesh Prasad Shrestha, general manager at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. “We have learnt from it and today, security measures have been enhanced at the airport to prevent a repetition.”
According to the official, Nepal Police are now entrusted with security measures inside the airport while Nepali Army looks after security on the periphery of the airport.
Security provisions at the former sleepy airport have been beefed up in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation guidelines that include X-raying of baggage at the antry point and body searches of passengers.
For additional security, the airport has also introduced random checks of hand baggage for 50 percent of outgoing passengers while it is enforced for the remaining 50 percent.
In addition, passengers bound for India, Pakistan and the Middle East states are thoroughly examined, which includes their hand baggage.
On Dec 24, 1999, New Delhi-bound flight IC-814 of India’s national carrier Indian Airlines was hijacked by five Pakistanis with links to terrorist organisation Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, and flown to Kandahar after refuelling stops in Lahore and Dubai.
The hijack motive was to secure the release of Islamic militants held in Indian prisons and after negotiations, New Delhi released three for the safe release of the remaining passengers.
A decade after the nightmare, the Indian Airlines authorities say they have also initiated safety measures on their own and are confident of averting a similar attempt.
Currently, Air India, which now encompasses Indian Airlines, and private carrier Jet Airways combine flights from Kathmandu to New Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi and Mumbai, accounting for 6,000 seats per week.
Both airlines have also initiated an additional security check before passengers board the aircraft, which include a body search and examination of hand baggage.
There are two more checks at the airport with one being a covert scrutiny.
Indian Airlines, like other airlines, is urging Nepal to install the CUTE (common user terminal equipment) system, which will enable them to share the same check-in facilities and slash time as well as have everything computerised so that there is thorough documentation.
Currently, many airlines use the manual system for documenting hand baggage. Once CUTE is implemented, even such data would be recorded by the computer and make investigation easier.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has floated a global tender but the process of selection is yet to start.
However, another part of security measures that the Indian government is urging Nepal to allow still remains unimplemented due to the political turmoil in the nascent republic.
India has been asking Nepal to allow its air marshals to be present on the flights operated by the national carrier to prevent untoward incidents.
Though Nepal’s former Maoist tourism and aviation minister Hisila Yami had been positive to the request, after a change in the government the proposal is yet to get an official nod now.
- India toughens anti-hijack policy, but remains vulnerable (12 years after IC-814 hijack) - Dec 23, 2011
- San Francisco Jetliner Gets Detained Due To Hijack Threat - Aug 20, 2010
- Indian airports put on alert after hijack threat (Roundup) - Jan 22, 2010
- IndiGo readies to fly to Kathmandu - Jun 17, 2011
- Nepal plane crash: Grieving families wait for last remains - Sep 26, 2011
- Kingfisher tops in unused flight slots, says Ravi - Nov 30, 2011
- Now drink containers under scanner at North American airports (Lead) - Dec 25, 2010
- Defiant Nepal Airlines rats on Air India, other peers - Sep 08, 2011
- LeT para-gliders may target India, security on alert (Intro Roundup) - Jan 22, 2010
- New price war in air as SpiceJet eyes Nepal - Dec 13, 2009
- Turkish firm investing over $100 mn on Mumbai, Delhi airports - Jan 30, 2011
- December crash takes toll on Nepal airline's Bhutan flights - Feb 01, 2011
- Air India starts new check-in procedure - Sep 28, 2011
- Better deals in offing for those flying abroad - Mar 06, 2011
- No airline faces closure, will ensure safety: Watchdog (Lead) - Jan 05, 2012
Tags: body searches, civil aviation authorities, civil aviation organisation, flight ic, hand baggage, harkat, india pakistan, indian airlines aircraft, indian prisons, international civil aviation, international civil aviation organisation, islamic militants, islamic terrorists, middle east states, national carrier, nepal police, random checks, security measures, security provisions, tribhuvan international airport
December 24th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Nepal-Peace must be first priority-Thanks
UN stops food aid to over half a million Nepalis
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/un-stops-food-aid-to-over-halfmillion-nepalis_432297.html
Nepal-Highlights of the Common Nationalist Agenda
Nepal-Highlights of the Common Nationalist Agenda in the article was like suggesting the basic salient features of the constitution of Nepal was to be drafted within specified period, being delayed for the reason of there political instability, caused due to mainly insincerity in the political strategy of Maoists leadership.
Who could be behind the strategy? The role of big powers including India may not be denied out rightly as a part of her policy to weaken the neighbouring countries by scheming also the revolutionaries of Nepal.
I did also express my views as under:
Will Prachanda’s Ultimate Aim Be Only Dictatorial Rule of His Party in Nepal?
The statements of the former prime minister and chairman of Nepal’s main opposition party Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ far and against India may be part of some diplomacy, for the benefits of some individuals and their families.
When I happened to be in Nepal during the election days as one of the Short Term International Observers, did notice the love and affection of Nepalese villagers for Indians. The Nepalese, you may call them as Maoists functionaries or by any other name of the party, group etc, challengingly said, “No-body can successfully stop our movements and the business dealings, even by sealing the border with India”.
When on April 10, 2008, that is, the elections day, it was being claimed and announced internationally that the border was sealed; the Villagers said it was only on papers and if they so desire, then knew how to cross and feel free to do so even under such circumstances.
They also claimed that they always celebrated Dewali and other Indian festivals there along with their socially and closely related relatives from India.
I did also not find or noticed much difference between Indians and Nepalese. Both, Indians and Nepalese are closely related by all means.
After the election, the Chairman Prachanda assured “that the Maoist would work together with all and ask the international community to help achieve the goals of rapid economic growth, sustainable peace and institutionalization of a federal democratic setup for building a new Nepal. He repeatedly said that we shall actively participate in the era of globalization, liberalization and privatization. To my mind, in his speech, he has shown very liberal attitude to accommodate all and seek help to build up better Nepal”.
Some of Maoist workers heard saying that it all was only a political strategy at the moment but I, personally did not doubt the Chairman Prachanda in the context and in face of his sincere assurance and approach to the international community for sustainable peace and development not only in Nepal but in whole of South Asia, as the condition of democratic values in Indian sub-continent are no way better than Nepal.
Now, I feel, the Maoist workers had spoken, then by heart and rightly judged Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda saying that the assurance was only a political strategy at the moment.
On April 12, 2008, I personally got a chance to congratulate Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda for the mandate the people gave to his party and shake hands with him.
Who knows what can be the mood of ‘Prachanda’ now?
Will his ultimate aim and the acceptance be only dictatorial rule or similar to that of his party in Nepal? Whether geographically and politically that would be feasible within the given territory of Nepal, keeping in view the trend in the modern world?
Balbir Singh Sooch, Advocate, Ludhiana
December 22, 2009
http://www.sikhvicharmanch.com
Constituent Assembly Election: NEPAL-Historical Polls
(A Memorable Report of International Observers Team)
http://newsblaze.com/story/20080524122545tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html
http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Nepal%2C+India+play+friendly+boxing&NewsID=216023
Nepal Prez not happy with Maoists activities, fears conflict escalation
December 24th, 2009 at 1:43 am
UN stops food aid to over half a million Nepalis
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/un-stops-food-aid-to-over-halfmillion-nepalis_432297.html
Nepal-Highlights of the Common Nationalist Agenda
Nepal-Highlights of the Common Nationalist Agenda in the article was like suggesting the basic salient features of the constitution of Nepal was to be drafted within specified period, being delayed for the reason of there political instability, caused due to mainly insincerity in the political strategy of Maoists leadership.
Who could be behind the strategy? The role of big powers including India may not be denied out rightly as a part of her policy to weaken the neighbouring countries by scheming also the revolutionaries of Nepal.
I did also express my views as under:
Will Prachanda’s Ultimate Aim Be Only Dictatorial Rule of His Party in Nepal?