Harassed Customs Officers of Chennai Airport - Seek Transfer
HAVE you heard of Customs officers being harassed? Sometime the shoe is on the other foot. Yesterday the Deccan Chronicle reported that 45 Customs officers of Chennai airport have sent in representations to the Chief Commissioner seeking a transfer as they are unable to bear with harassment by certain individuals. The Customs officers have named two persons who are harassing them. It seems these two persons intercept the officers at the parking slot or visit their homes to persuade/threaten them to turn a blind eye to smuggling. In their letters, the officers have informed the Chief Commissioner that not only regular complaints are given but a whatsapp group has been created in the name of Customs to threaten the officers.
I spoke to Dr. Tijju, Additional Commissioner in the Chennai Air Customs who confirmed the letters and said that his officers were being harassed with false complaints and threats, so much that some of the officers are under medical treatment for stress. He said that the complainants are hardcore smugglers who are taking advantage of the complaints mechanism to threaten sincere officers. He said that these complaints are a result of efficient and sincere work by the Customs and those who are not able to get through with illicit trade are using threat as a means to coerce Customs officers. He said that Customs officers have been doing excellent work, which can be verified by the number of seizures. He said that his officers would not be deterred by such unfair tactics, from discharging their duties efficiently and sincerely.
While we hear stories of harassment by the Customs officers, it seems to be a fact that they are also harassed by experienced smugglers. It requires a lot of grit and commitment on the part of the officers to face such onslaught from professional smugglers. The Department should solidly stand behind the officers when they face such threats. While ensuring that the officers work within the precincts of law, it should also be assured that would be allowed to work within the framework of law, without threat from the lawless.