SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: In an inhumane incident reported at the Dabolim International Airport, a person with disability was allegedly humiliated and intimidated by two airport staff, who, she claimed, extorted Rs 4,000 from her for using the wheelchair facility.
Sixty-two-year-old Katherine Frances Wolfe, a passenger with mobility and anxiety issues was travelling on a flight from Goa to Gatwick.
As part of her travel, she required special assistance, which was pre-booked on October 23.
On arriving at Dabolim Airport, she explained that at approximately 7.30 am on January 29, with the help of the airport manager; special assistance was organised, with a wheelchair provided, someone to push her wheelchair and someone to carry her bags.
“After entering the airport, where I was vulnerable, by myself and in the care of two airport staff; the ‘special assistants’ stopped me and bullied me into giving them ‘tips’. The two men that were supposed to be assisting me, stopped me in a random space in the airport, where I was helplessly surrounded by both men towering over me, angrily telling me, ‘if you do not pay us, then we will just leave you here’,” she said.
Katherine said that in fear and nowhere to go, she complied and offered a tip of Rs 500 to the man who was pulling her bags. Further, she alleged that the duo demanded more money, became more aggressive and intimidated by extorting all Indian monies that she had with her. In total, she alleged that Rs 4,000 was extorted from her by the duo.
She later filed a complaint before the PI, Dabolim International Airport, Superintendent of Police South Goa, Director General of Police, President Disability Rights Association of Goa, and State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa, the Airport Manager of Dabolim International Airport and others.
“I am expecting swift action to be taken against both men who extorted Rs 4,000,” she said.
“We are verifying the facts of the case, the incident occurred on January 29. The CCTV footage of the day of the incident has been sought after verifying the footage necessary action will be initiated in the matter," Abhishek Dhania, Superintendent of Police South Goa.
