Click to play videoMumbai: All the 12 Indian passengers detained in Amsterdam after North West airlines sounded a security alert on Thursday reached Mumbai airport early on Saturday morning.
The men who suffered the ordeal of being interrogated and questioned by the Dutch authorities for 48 hours touched base with homeland at 0215 hrs (IST) and got no less than a hero's welcome at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati International Airport.
Their homecoming was an overwhelming moment for the anxious relatives who had spent two days glued to television for whatever little news they got about their relatives.
DETAINED BY THE DOZEN |
- "Yes we had exchanged seats. We were in a group so we were adjusting seats among ourselves. They misunderstood and thought we were going to do something to the plane. They did not force or ill-treat us while talking to us ... It has been sorted out," said one of the detained, Mohammad Iqbal Batliwala. |
- "We are happy to be back. Thank you media. There is no problem now," shouted another passenger Shaqeel Chottani. |
- "These are times of suspicion and distrust and we Muslims have to bear the brunt," said Abdul Kadir Kolsiwala, father of Ayub Kolsiwala, one of those arrested. |
It was a teary reunion. While some hugged their relatives, others shied away from media glare.
However, the underlying concern remained the same. All the "detainees" hoped that the incident would not have any adverse impact on their life
"There was some misunderstanding. We are businessmen and we do not want our interests to be affected. We tried to exchange seats in the flight and that’s what made them (Dutch Authorities) jittery. They handcuffed us and took us to separate rooms and interrogated us," said one of the passengers, Iqbal Batliwala.
Batliwala also added that he held no grudge against any government. “We have no complaint against North West (Airlines) or the Dutch authorities. The only thing is that we don’t want to face any troubles or harrassment in future as we are businessmen," he said.
Amidst the over-enthusiastic media crew wanting to capture visuals of their arrival, there was some confusion as well.
One of the 12 men collapsed outside the airport - a sign of the emotional stress that they had been through.
Family members, on their part, reiterated the fact that their loved ones were innocent.
"They are all business and had gone for business purposes. We are not terrorists, we have our families,” said a relative, Sabana Marwari.
"This is no less than Eid for us. We haven't eaten or slept for three days and now we want to celebrate,” wife of a released passenger, Farzeen Chotani said.
None of the passengers have indicated that they’ll press charges against the Dutch authorities. It will certainly take time before the scars of humiliation heal, but all that ends well is well.
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