An argument between the personnel of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) staff at the Calicut international airport in Kozhikode escalated into a gun battle, leading to one person's death and serious injuries to two others late on Wednesday night.
The deceased was identified as CISF jawan SS Yadav, while both the wounded men were AAI employees. It later emerged that Yadav was shot "accidently" during the scuffle with the AAI staffers.
The Indian Express on Thursday reported that the 52-year-old Yadav died after a bullet pierced through his head.
CISF: 'Jawan was Performing his Duty, AAI Officer Tried to Snatch Weapon'
According to reports, it all started from a scuffle between inspector Seetharam Chaudhiri of CISF, which is responsible for security at the Kozhikode International Airport, and AAI staffer Aji Kumar over frisking.
Soon many other AAI employees, including senior official Sunny Thomas, joined the melee, when Chaudhiri allegedly threatened to open fire. The other CISF personnel intervened when Chaudhiri's gun went off.
It is reported that two flights were in the air when the shooting took place, following which they were denied permission to land and were diverted to Kochi.
An Air India Express flight arriving from Sharjah to Kozhikode and another domestic flight from Mumbai, which was scheduled to land at the Kozhikode's Karipur airport around Wednesday midnight were diverted to the Kochi International airport following the shooting incident.
Reports suggest that for the past several days the situation had been 'on the boil' between the CISF personnel and the airport staff.
Two airport personnel, including Thomas have been admitted in the local hospital.
Airport under Lock Down
The Kerala home department had rushed in a contingent of police personnel for the security airport. However, sources on ground reveal that the CISF currently has taken charge over the airport and are chasing away the passengers.
Similarly, the fire department personnel have lined up their vehicles on the runaway. The situation is still said to be tense.
The services were resumed by Thursday morning after several Senior security personnel met with CISF and AAI officials to defuse the situation.
Twitter Reactions
Rishi @rishi4u
Is it a mere ego clash or is there more to it ? #calicut #gold
Aromal @aromal_lfc
Whats happening there in Calicut Airport? Clash between staffs and CISF...
#kozhikode..
shoby @shobymo
CALICUT AIRPORT CLOSED. ATC OPP STOPPED ALL FLIGHTS DIVERTED TO COCHIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT(COK)
Joseph J Nalloor @medianut
@asianetnewstv reports fire service blocks #CalicutAirport runway after scuffle between #CISF and Airport staff. 1 Jawan dead #Calicut
Lutyens' Leopard @Leopard212
1 CISF Trooper dead. 2 Airport staff injured. Calicut International Airport. Airport staff clashed with CISF.
Place has on boil for a while
