Manu Bhaker demands action against AI employees for alleged harassment

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New Delhi, Feb 20 (PTI): Tokyo Olympics medal prospect Manu Bhaker has demanded action against two Air India employees for allegedly “harassing” and “insulting” the pistol shooter while she tried to board a flight to Bhopal from Delhi.
The 19-year-old Commonwealth Games and Youth Olympics gold medallist pistol shooter eventually managed to board the aircraft on Friday evening after the intervention of Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.
Manu, one of the country’s brightest medal hopes at the upcoming Games, thanked Rijiju for his prompt intervention but is also hoping for action against the Air India officials at Delhi airport. Later, Air India, too, apologised for the conduct of of its staff.
“They can be be held accountable for the harassment and insult I endured as trying to save their officials (Manoj Gupta and another security person of the airline) will only further damage Air India’s reputation,” Manu told PTI from Bhopal.
The champion pistol shooter added, “Air India is now claiming that they were just asking for documents and doing their job but I am sure everything was captured by the CCTV cameras. You can check…
“They snatched my mobile and deleted the picture which my mother clicked as the harassment went on.”
Having addressed the issue, Rijiju called Manu “India’s pride.” Air India also tendered an apology.
“Ma’am we are really sorry that you have faced inconvenience while travelling with us. We request you to kindly share details of the issue along with your contact details over DM for us to assist you,” Air India tweeted.
Manu said she had to go through the “ordeal” despite carrying all valid documents and clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for travelling with her weapons and ammunition. “But then they refused to recognise even DGCA and when I told them that I travel frequently with my ammunition and that I am a shooter who is going to represent India in Olympics, they said ‘whether you play in nationals or Olympics it doesn’t matter to us’.