Pravasi groups condemn Air India

KOZHIKODE: Leaders of various Pravasi organisations have bitterly termed Air India’s act of moving an appeal against the Single Bench order awarding `75 lakh compensation to the families of the victims of Mangalore air crash as ‘anti-national’, ‘inhuman and ‘unjustifiable’.A discussion on ‘Mangalore aircrash and appeal by Air India’ organised under the auspices of the All India Airport Users Forum (AIAUF) in Kozhikode on Friday heavily criticised Air India’s deliberate attempts to delay the sanctioning of compensation to the victims of a national disaster.In an order passed on Thursday, the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court had set aside the earlier order by the Single Bench. Speaking at the meeting, AIAUF chairman K M Basheer said the association would organise widespread protests against this kind of cruel act of India’s national carrier.“Through these acts, the Air India has insulted the Pravasis of the state. If Air India continues its anti-people policies, the AIAUF will completely boycott the flights in association with various Pravasi associations in the Gulf countries,” he said.Indo Arab Confederation Council chairman Attakoya Pallikkandy said the Pravasi organisations would make the necessary arrangements so that the family members of B Mohammed Rafi, who died in the crash, can go for an appeal in the Supreme Court. Leaders said the state government, MPs from the state and Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi should urgently intervene in the issue. “Only through a collective effort of the government, Pravasis and the Director General of Civil Aviation can find an immediate solution to this issue. Pravasi associations should take the initiative to organise a major convention in this regard to register protest against Air India,” said World Malayali Council President C E Chakkunni.Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) district general secretary N C Aboobacker has offered all support to the Pravasi associations in their fight to secure due compensation from the Air India authorities for the victims of the flight tragedy. Kerala Pravasi Council President P A Hamza, Secretary Anwar Kunimal and Dr K Moidu attended.