NEW DELHI, APRIL 6: Four months after the IC-814 hijacking, resumption of Indian Airlines flights to Kathmandu still looks remote.The Nepal government declined permission for Indian security personnel in any form at the Tribhuvan International Airport and at the ladder-point on the runway.When the Indian delegation suggested that a special platform be created for a double-check of incoming passengers at the ladder-point, the Nepalese government insisted that the platform would be manned by them.The Indian team agreed in principle. But with a rider. That a handful of Indian security personnel be also present to ``assist'' the Nepalese at the ladder-point. The Nepalese government objected to ``security personnel'' and ``assist''. They said only one Indian can be present at the ladder-point. And he should not be a security personnel.Finally, when the draft agreement was prepared, the Nepalese government conveyed that they could not agree to the presence of even one IA personnel. The IA staff could resort to frisking the moment a passenger steps in the aircraft, they proposed. But the Indian delegation rejected the proposal after consulting the External Affairs Ministry and Civil Aviation ministry officials.It was pointed out that if ladder-point checking is not allowed no extra security measurers are taken, there was no rationale for cancelling the flights four months ago.The visiting delegation told the Nepal Civil Aviation Minister and officials that India had permitted 12 countries to take whatever security measurers they wish including a ladder-point check.The Nepalese linked the presence of the Indian security personnel on its territory to its sovereignty and said it would be utilised by anti-Indian forces operating in Nepal. They pleaded that India should realise the sensitivities of the Nepalese people. Newspapers had been criticising the Indian government's decision to unilaterally cancel all IA flights.The Indian delegation led by Sunil Arora, a joint secretary in the Civil Aviation Ministry, returned empty-handed. When contacted, Ravindra Gupta, secretary, Civil Aviation, said the talks were ``inconclusive.'' Since a new government had taken over in Nepal only a few weeks ago, it wanted more time to ``look'' into the problem.
