For some time now, news of a bomb being planted on a flight through fake call has been going viral. In view of these reports, the Civil Aviation Ministry has now adopted a strict stance. Those making fake calls that a bomb has been planted in the flight will no longer be in trouble. The ministry has decided that the law will soon be amended to deal with such news.
The government is preparing to take steps forward in this direction and make a plan. The government has decided that criminals responsible for such threats may be placed on the no-fly list. In the last week alone, about 100 flights operated by Indian airlines had received bomb threats, most of which proved to be false.
Government considering amendment to aviation security rules
Naidu said the government is considering amendments to the Aviation Security Rules and the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Civil Aviation Security Act, 1982, to strengthen the measures. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is working closely with the Home Ministry in this matter.
Naidu said, “On the ministry’s side, we have thought about some legislative action, if it is needed. We have come to the conclusion that there are two areas which we can consider – 1) Amendment of aircraft safety rules …One of the ideas we want to promote by changing these rules is that once we catch the culprit behind this, we want to put them on the no-fly list… 2) Civilians Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against Aviation Security Act…”
Indian airlines suffer huge loss due to bomb threat
On Sunday alone, more than 20 flights of IndiGo, Akasa Air and Vistara were affected by bomb threats. A meeting was held between BCAS officials and the airline’s CEO as the threats were causing panic and a comprehensive security check was needed.
Additionally, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Director General RS Bhatti and BCAS Director General Zulfikar Hasan met Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Monday to discuss the recent increase in fake calls.
During the half-hour meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the two Director Generals briefed the Home Secretary about the recent incidents of fake bomb threats, which have caused widespread panic and are being monitored by Indian aviation authorities, intelligence agencies and other departments. Extensive security checks have been conducted.