Baggage fears dog security

New Delhi: The recent instance of a gun going undetected in the check-in baggage of an industrialist at Mumbai airport and then being 'discovered' on arrival in Dubai has revived security agencies' fears on baggage handling.
While handbags and passengers are frisked by security agencies, check-in baggage is X-rayed and cleared only by airline security officials.
This issue has security agencies worried, especially in times of such heightened threat perception.
In Delhi and Mumbai, staffers of the government-owned Indian and Air India handle baggage checking in most terminals. Private airlines do the job in terminals earmarked for them.
Airlines say their staffers meet the aviation security guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and have licences from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
Check-in baggage security system — irrespective of who handles it — has a number of chinks in its armour.
"To begin with, a bag is X-rayed and then 'security cleared' tag is put on it. After this, it remains with passengers for a long time till it is handed at airline check-in counters. Anything can be kept in its numerous side pockets as passengers have not been frisked till then," said an official.
22/01/07 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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