India-Pak tensions: Major changes announced at Airports for cargo, baggage checking; details here
New Delhi: In response to heightened security concerns, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been temporarily assigned the responsibility of overseeing the screening of cargo and check-in baggage at Indian civil airports. This expanded role, effective from May 9 to May 18, 2025, marks a significant shift from the previous arrangement, where these tasks were managed by airport operators and airlines.
According to a statement issued by the CISF, the Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) approved the temporary enhancement of CISF's duties to provide additional security oversight to cargo operations and the in-line hold baggage screening system (ILHBSS).
"To reinforce security arrangements at all civil airports, CISF will now supervise the operations and personnel involved in cargo and baggage screening. The force is also authorised to conduct random checks and maintain access control to these critical zones," the statement said.
Until now, CISF had been primarily responsible for pre-boarding passenger frisking and cabin baggage checks, while airport operators and airline staff handled cargo and check-in baggage screening. With this new directive, CISF has assumed broader authority in airport security protocols across the country.
The new measures have already been implemented at all CISF-covered airports nationwide.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
