SCUFFLE BETWEEN AN ARMY OFFICER AND SPICE JET STAFF IN SRINAGAR*

https://x.com/ramniwasbeniwal/status/1952361302447587735?t=PM0A9gkYfdExKV-SzdVkdw&s=08 

*SCUFFLE BETWEEN AN ARMY OFFICER AND SPICE JET STAFF IN SRINAGAR*

The Army officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, had booked the Seat No- 24D of *Spice Jet Flight SG 386* to proceed on leave from Srinagar to Delhi  on 26th July. The flight was scheduled to depart at 1810hr.

The officer, was without a chcek-in a baggage and was only with a bag for cabin. After security check and just 15 minutes before boarding, his cabin bag was weighed at the boarding gate and foud to be of 9KG instead of 7KG. He was then not allowed to board. The officer kept on requesting, and asked to allow him to board as he is carrying only one bag. Despite all request he was not allowed, instead he was told "aap jesse army waleroz aatey hein aur humey pareshan karte  hein" (Army personnel like you keep coming daily to trouble us). 

Once the boarding gate was closed without taking the officer, who was waiting meet his family, who had planned his leave well ahead and had paid for the flight and despite all reasoning/ request, he felt helpless, frustrated, cheated and angry.

In that anger and as an out come of a heated argument, he punched one staff of the Spice Jet on his face. In retaliation, three to four Spice Jet staff started beating up the Officer mercilessly. The officer retalited bare hand, all alone but was not able to stop them. Then in his self defense, he picked one divider bar tried threatening the attackers. He had not used the bar to actually beat up anyone.

CISF intervened and controlled the situation.  The Spice Jet staff in order to have an upper edge, started exaggerating the act by the officer and their injuries. The matter finally reached Humhuma PS. Both the parties were taken into confidence and an compromise was reached. The next day, the officer went on leave.

Nine (09) days after the incident, on 3rd August, one Spice Jet staff, cunningly leaked a video of the incident to the media and the latter made best use of it without even trying to find what actually had happened. 

This led to fresh pressure of Airport authorities, that ultimate led the Spice Jet authorities to reach police station again. In this connection, FIR No 204/ 25 dt 03 Aug 25 u/s 115 {20, 131, 351 (2)}, 126, 920 of BNS against the officer was regd at Budgam Police Station.

When it comes to law makers, members of judiciary, police officers and influential personalities, two kg of excess baggage can never be a reason to stop a passenger from boarding his flight. But, an Army Officer, has been harassed by Spice Jet staff to such an extent that he lost his cool. Now, he is being projected as rule breaker and at the same time, the rude and unprofessional staff of Spice Jet are being projected as victims.

The nation needs to see the incident as in entirety and not selectively. At the same time, if the nation feels, that its soldier should not resort to such outburst/ aggression in such situations, and should start tolerate such minor insults, then the nation be ready to soon have an army with soldier without self-esteem, ego and fighting- spirit.

Army, on the other hand should stand by its officer and must say no to any direct/ indirect business with Spice Jet, until the officers gets a formal apology.