Kozhikode Airport Shootout: 10-hour lockdown after clash kills 1

Operations at the Karipur International airport in Kerala's Kozhikode recommenced on Thursday after a 10-hour shut down following clashes between Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel and airport authority employees, which left one jawan dead.

According to the latest reports in the Indian media, a flight from Sharjah has landed on Thursday.

Flights to Kozhikode on Wednesday were diverted to Kochi.

It is reported that the jawan had asked an official of the fire department of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Sunny Thomas to undergo security clearance which led to a verbal spat. In the ensuing brawl, the jawan was fired at.

Thomas, however, alleged that he had been attacked by the CISF personnel, when he had entered the airport to take an injured colleague to hospital.

"I was kicked, beaten up... they threatened to shoot," he told television channels.

The Airport Authority Employees' Union (AAEU) accuses the CISF staff for excessive frisking, which they claim lead to the clash.

"Though it (checking) is a routine, but today when AAI personnel were entering the airport, apart from normal frisking, they were even asked to open their lunch boxes, this led to some argument and then heated exchange of words," AAEU General Secretary B S Ahlawat told PTI in Delhi.

The runway was blocked by the airport staff following the clashes which led to disruption in flights.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said all flights to Kozhikode airport were diverted to Kochi.

There are around 150 AAI staff posted at the airport, of which 40 are with airport fire service.

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