Yana Mir, a journalist and activist from Jammu and Kashmir, recently alleged that she was harassed by the staff of the Indira Gandhi International Airport or IGIA in Delhi. However, Delhi Customs’s social media handle responded to the accusations by saying that it was Yana Mir who refused to cooperate with the staff when doing basic security checks. Here are all of the important details that you would need to know about this incident.
Delhi Customs Responds To Accusations Of Harassment
Bag scanning of international passengers is done routinely. While other paxs put their luggage inside the scanner without any fuss
Ms. Yana Mir felt needlessly offended. Staff remained courteous throughout.Privileges are not above law. Footage tells the story. pic.twitter.com/vpwn4MMVQt— Delhi Customs (Airport & General) (@AirportGenCus) February 26, 2024
In a now-deleted video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Yana Mir is heard angrily confronting the staff of the Delhi Airport. The accompanying caption talked about how, only recently, she gave a speech in London praising India and how safe it is for her.
Ms. Yana Mir didn’t cooperate at all when requested to get her bags scanned. Her luggage was ultimately picked up by airline staff and Customs officer for scanning as seen in the footage.
— Delhi Customs (Airport & General) (@AirportGenCus) February 26, 2024
She also mentioned how Londoners think of her as an Indian media warrior but the staff of Delhi Customs think of her as a brand smuggler. To this, Delhi Customs responded by sharing a couple of CCTV footage showing that the journalist was not cooperating with the staff.
You can see CLEARLY IN THE FOOTAGE
as soon as i was told to scan i went to the machine.
High handed, arrogant, entitled, govt employees thought its below their dignity to help me put the heavy suitcase on the machine, or help me me put it back in the trolley.— Yana Mir (@MirYanaSY) February 26, 2024
The issue was over a few empty bags of Louis Vuitton bags. When the staff saw the empty bags, they asked her questions about them and whether she had purchased them. Delhi Customs also mentioned that the staff remained courteous throughout.
Yana Mir Denies Wanting Special Treatment
I dont want special treatment.
But harassing citizens like this is dictatorial.
They need to be polite and ask if anything to declare, if very suspicious even after scanning then they shud be courteous, to open in the bag in closed area, not openly like this— Yana Mir (@MirYanaSY) February 26, 2024
Delhi Customs also mentioned that such a security check is a routine procedure and that privileges are not above the law. The journalist also responded by saying that she was not seeking special treatment.
Some fools think im complaining bcoz of random checks at airport 😅
Been to Israel where checks are stricter, but here is the Israeli process:
1-Request the passenger to come on side
2-Bag is carried and opened by the checking officer himself/herself
3-Politely ask the passenger”…— Yana Mir (@MirYanaSY) February 26, 2024
She said that the staff should have been more polite and helpful. She also said that if they had any suspicions, then they should have opened the bag in an enclosed or private area and not in front of the entire airport.
What are your thoughts on this particular situation? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @AirportGenCus/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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