State Legislative Council Chairman B K Chandrashekhar on Thursday referred to the Privileges Committee the issue of alleged misbehaviour of Belgaum Regional Commissioner Amita Prasad with two MLCs -Mukhyamantri Chandru and Aravind Limbavali - at Belgaum Airport on Februrary 10.

Speaking to media persons, Chandrashekhar said that he would summon the Chief Secretary and direct him to order an inquiry and hand him over a letter in this regard.

He said it was clear from the incident narrated by two MLCs and also well-known writer and film personalities-Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, P Seshadri, Ravi Kiran and Honnappa Bhagawath, who were also witness to the incident - that the officer had misbehaved with them. Earlier speaking to media persons, Chandru and Limbavali criticised  the Regional Commissioner for abusing and insulting them for having snacks at the VIP lounge of the  Belgaum Airport on their return from Bagalkot. Chandrashekhar also demanded revocation of Article 194 on the previleges of legislators.

Threatened

“As we are diabetics, we were having our breakfast at the lounge. Amita Prasad, who came to the airport to catch a flight, shouted at us and asked us to get out even after we identified ourselves. She also threatened the airport staff for letting us inside the lounge”, they alleged.

They termed it as one more insult to Kannadigas by another Bihari (Amita Prasad is also a Bihari). They demanded an apology from the officer and said they would submit a letter to the Chief Secretary demanding action against her.

Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar stongly criticised the ‘autocratic’ behaviour of the officer.

‘Deep regret’

Belgaum, dhns:   Regional Commissioner Amita Prasad has said expressed deep regret over the incident that took place on Monday at Sambra airport in Belgaum. In a press note, she said she was unaware of the prominent personalities present at the airport lounge when the incident occured.

 ``I have very high regards for people's representatives and artistes. If somebody felt hurt about the incident occured, I express my deep regrets for it. I did not have any intensions to hurt anybody on that occasion,'' she added.

   Ms Amita Prasad said, she found the airport lounge totally packed with people when she entered the airport. Several film actors and MLCs were also present there. She said she immediately met Mr K S Vijayan, airport officer and told him about how the airport lounge was often getting crowded. Later, she said she held a discussion with officials concerned about the developmental works to be taken up at the airport.