Police to get tough with airport loaders

The Sahar police have decided to act tough following the incidents of theft at the Mumbai airport cargo complex that involved loaders from ground handling agencies.

According to the police, incidents of theft happen in the airport as loaders enter and leave its premises at their will, and they are not properly frisked at the gate.

“We will be writing to all the ground handling agencies to approach us in case they need any help to book such miscreants,” said Dilip Patil, senior PI, Sahar police station.

Patil said that all the ground handling agencies should ask their in-house security agents to keep an eye on loaders who hang around inside the airport premises even after their duty hours. “If they refuse to leave the premises when asked, we can book them under the trespass laws provided the company/authorities lodge complaints with us,” said Patil.

Cambata Aviation, a ground handling agency which has 2,200 loaders taking care of various airlines, wants to take up the matter. “We will strengthen our efforts to bring erring loaders to the book. We have our in-house vigilance team which will monitor such loaders and hand them over to the police,” said Saroj Contractor, director, Cambata Aviation. 

Meanwhile, a Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) spokesperson said, “From January1, 2009, only three ground handling agencies will be allowed at the airport. This would help us control loaders’ movements.”