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Kathmandu airport chief among 18 charged over IA hijack

The manager of Kathmandu's international airport was on Thursday charged with negligence following a Nepal inquiry into the Indian Airlines hijacking last month.

Medini Prasad Sharma was among 18 people who have been charged with negligence on duty following the hijacking, which exposed security standards at Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport.

Others charged included the superintendent of police for the airport, police officials, airport officials and staff from the civil aviation department.

But at a press conference detailing the inquiry's findings, Nepalese Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Bijaya Kumar Gachheddhar said it was still unknown how the hijackers had smuggled guns on to Flight IA 814.

Gachheddar said physical similarities between Indians and Nepalese had made the hijackers' task easier, and blamed the freedom of travel between India and Nepal.

The investigation had ruled out the airport officials on duty having cooperated with the hijackers, knowingly or unknowingly, for monetary motives, Gachheddhar said.

"However, had the airport staff taken due security precaution, the hijacking incident could have been averted," the minister said.

The report also recommended the need for the installation of scientific equipment to detect arms and weapons, Gachheddhar said.

SEE COMPLETE COVERAGE:
Nightmare on Flight 814

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