Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Jun 20: Rs six lac in cash belonging to Umrah pilgrims who boarded a flight from the international airport in the city was stolen some time ago. The pilgrims have accused the airline staff of theft.
At a press conference held in the city, Badruddin, one of the pilgrims, said, “On April 30, 34 pilgrims left for Umrah from Mangaluru International Airport to Jeddah Airport in Saudi Arabia via Mumbai. The travel agency had given me 26,432 Saudi Riyals (around Rs six lac) to cover the expenses of 11 elderly pilgrims. I had kept the cash in my trolley bag.
"At the airport, the luggage of all 11 people was scanned. On May 1, we reached Jeddah. When we exited the airport, we discovered that the lock on the trolley bag was broken, and Rs six lac had been stolen from the bag. A case has been filed at the Bajpe police station. We have also expressed strong suspicion about the airline staff, but we have not yet received justice.”
Yogish Shetty, the founder president of Tulunada Rakshana Vedike, said, “It is really regrettable that such an incident has taken place at Mangaluru International Airport. We have submitted an appeal to the deputy commissioner to take action against the guilty parties. A protest will be held in front of the airport if justice is not served.”