ZCZC
BSS-12
INDIA-POLLS-SECURITY
Strict security measures at airports ahead of Indian general election
NEW DELHI, March 16, 2019 (BSS) – The Indian Bureau of Civil Aviation
Security (BCAS) has issued a detailed circular to strengthen security
measures at the airports with an aim to curb the movement of unauthorized
arms, contraband goods, cash and bullion.
The BCAS had issued the circular in the wake of the announcement of Model
Code of Conduct for the forthcoming Indian general elections-2019 scheduled
to begin next month, official sources said here yesterday.
The election to 543 seats of the Lok Sabha will be held in seven phases
from April 11 to May 19 and the results will be declared on May 23.
Apart from measure to strengthen the security at the regular commercial
airports, special measures have been introduced to check flights from
uncontrolled, remote, airstrips, aerodromes, helipads and private airstrips.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and AAI and the Air
Traffic Control (ATC) shall inform state police, BCAS and income tax
department about these flights in advance, the circular said.
ATC shall share records of not only scheduled commercial flights but also
private aircrafts or helicopters to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the
state and the DEO of the district, in which the airport is located as early
as possible, preferably half an hour in advance.
The DGsP of states shall deploy police units to check these flights as per
direction of Election Commission and extant rules and regulations of BCAS in
this regards.
The operators of all private aircrafts, helicopters must declare the
contents of the baggage and suitcases carried on these flights to CEO of the
states, DEOs of the districts, state police and IT Department, according to
the circular.
With an aim to keep strict vigil over movement of cash through all
airports, Income Tax Department and CISF will extend all requisite
cooperation for checking and surveillance activities.
Besides, officers of BCAS will be conducting surprise inspections at these
airports to check the compliance of these instructions, the circular added.
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