The flights in Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) were affected today after the officers in Immigration department halted their work, On Wednesday, employees involved in arrival and immigration procedures stopped working from 11 AM to around 12:30 PM. Later in the afternoon, they again disrupted work for some time. The spokesperson, Subash Jha, provided information about the impact on flights.
“Between 11 AM and 12:30 PM, there were no staff members. Only one or two people were present at about 25 counters. Later, from 5 PM onwards, there were no people,” he said. Jha mentioned that two flights, IndiGo and Thai Air, experienced delays due to the slow functioning of the employees.
According to him, the employees have not disclosed the reason for the work stoppage. He revealed that an investigation is underway regarding the involvement of immigration officials in sending people abroad illegally, raising concerns about the integrity of the airport staff.
The Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Crime Investigation Division has been investigating the misuse of visitor passes. They have uncovered the involvement of Immigration officials in sending people abroad illegally through this unauthorized method.
The police have arrested the Immigration Officer Narabir Khadka in connection with organized crime. It is suspected that others may also be involved, according to the police.
Speaking about this, Information Officer of the Immigration Department, Prem Prasad Dahal, emphasized that the employees did not stop working. “It’s not a work stoppage; it was a security check. It was successful,” he said.
When requested to elaborate further, he explained the duty hours of the employees and the communication sent by the police. “The duties of the employees have increased, and their workload has also increased. The police have communicated to all, urging them to give statements. Employees are being interrogated,” he said.
Regarding the work stoppage from around 12:30 PM until now, he denied it. “Colleagues are on duty; they are at their desks, nothing has been stopped,” he said. “When going for lunch at around 12:30, duty shift changes. That’s it.”
