Bullets found in woman’s bag at Madurai airport

Madurai

As mandated, the woman passenger underwent screening ahead of boarding a Chennai-bound flight. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel found a few bullets from her hand baggage during the check. The 41-year old passenger identified as Bhogadi Lakshmi Lavanya reached Madurai airport hours before for the flight scheduled at noon, Madurai Airport Director S Senthil Valavan, said, when contacted over the incident.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the passenger belongs to Andhra Pradesh. She was one among the 68 passengers who waited to board the flight bound for Chennai.

A passenger having bullets in hand baggage is a rare occurrence at this airport. However, the issue was handed over to the local police for further action, the Airport Director said. Moreover, sources said such incidents of possession of weapons were frequent in airports of North Eastern states, where many keep it for self-defence.

Madurai Superintendent of Police N Manivannan said the passenger was found in possession of two live rounds and seven empty shells at the airport. After seizing the bullets, the passenger was taken to Perungudi police station for inquiries. Only after holding thorough investigation, the police would know whether the passenger was accused of illegal possession of arms, the SP said.

Sources said the police are also investigating the angle on whether the passenger had any nexus with naxal elements in the neighbouring state.