'I Was Doing My Job': Spicejet Staff Left With Spinal Fracture Recalls Attack

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

A SpiceJet ground staff member who suffered two spinal fractures in a violent assault carried out by a senior Indian Army officer has spoken publicly for the first time, calling for accountability and justice.

"Why was I attacked? Why were my colleagues assaulted for simply doing their jobs? If this is the price we pay for enforcing rules, then tomorrow it could be someone else. This isn't right, the person responsible must be held accountable," a visibly shaken Mudasir Ahmad Khan told news agency ANI.

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The assault by the army officer took place on July 26 at Srinagar International Airport following a dispute over excess cabin baggage. According to Mudasir, the passenger, identified as an army officer, refused to comply with airline baggage rules and reacted with physical violence when asked to pay the required fees.

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In a video statement to news agency ANI, Mudasir recounted the ordeal in vivid detail. "He hit me on my face with baggage. He slapped me and started hitting me. He used his fists and feet to hit me... At the end, he punched me and I fell down,” Mudasir said from his hospital bed.

Mudasir explained that the officer was carrying two bags weighing a total of 16 kilograms, more than double the permitted hand baggage limit.

“I stopped him for checking. I told him he would have to pay for extra baggage. Instead, he started shouting. I called my Duty Manager, who also explained the rules to him."

Despite attempts to resolve the situation, the man allegedly bypassed security, pushed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, and entered the aerobridge unauthorised. When CISF staff escorted him back to the boarding gate, the confrontation turned violent.

“He threw items from his bag at a staff member, then struck me in the face with the rest of the baggage. I desperately called my duty manager to rescue me from the man's assault,” Mudasir said.“We were doing our job. Why were we assaulted for enforcing rules?"

SpiceJet has confirmed that four staff members were injured in the incident. In addition to Mudasir's spinal fracture, another employee reportedly suffered a broken jaw after being kicked in the face while trying to assist a colleague who had collapsed during the assault.

The airline termed it a 'murderous assault' and strongly condemned the incident and reiterated its call for strict action.“The safety and dignity of our employees is non-negotiable,” said a company spokesperson.

Following the incident, SpiceJet registered a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police and also began the process to place the officer on the no-fly list.

As the incident gains national attention, pressure is mounting on the Indian Army to investigate the matter and take appropriate disciplinary measures. So far, no official Army statement has been issued, though internal inquiries are reportedly underway.

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