Guwahati: An 80-year-old wheelchair-bound woman was allegedly “strip-searched” at Guwahati airport after her hip implants triggered the metal detectors. The incident took place on Thursday.
The woman's daughter Dolly Kikon posted a series of tweets urging immediate help. “My 80-year-old disabled mom was made to strip at the CISF security check at Guwahati airport. The security personnel wanted “proof” of her titanium hip implant and forced her to undress.Is that how we treat seniors," Kikon tweeted.
In another tweet she wrote: "Someone please help! The CISF security personnel team at @GuwahatiAirport are harrassing my niece who is taking care of my mother. They have taken away the complaint form she has written.They DID not allow her to take a screenshot saying it’s not ‘allowed’. My mom is distressed.”
She further tweeted: “It is disgusting! “My 80 year old disabled mother was forced to pull down her undergarment and get naked. Why? Why?”
As Dolly Kikon's tweets about the incident sparked outrage, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia promised to investigate.
Meanwhile, the CISF also responded and wrote in its tweet: “Security and dignity of needy pax go hand in hand. CISF has already started enquiry in connection with the unfortunate incident at Guwahati airport. The concerned personnel has been suspended. DIG CISF has spoken with the passenger.”
A spokesperson of the Guwahati airport told PTI that the passenger with reduced mobility was requested to go through the mandatory security screening but as she had a metal plate attached to her hip bone, the CISF team asked her to go for further checks.
"The authorities politely explained to the passenger about the mandatory security protocol and the matter was sorted out. The octogenarian passenger was initially irritated but later she understood the matter and left for her destination in a happy mood," she said. "We place the safety and security of all our passengers as topmost priority", the spokesperson added. (Inputs from agencies)
