No entry, reception party told

CHENNAI: The reception party that arrived to greet Anna Hazare on Sunday morning was slim by all counts. But for five top organizing-volunteers of India Against Corruption who had come to receive the activist, it was a rude shock when they were refused entry to the airport terminal.For almost 20 days now, entry into the domestic terminal has been stopped. For those who are coming to receive VIPs, the procedure involves applying for an entry pass from AAI, at least a day earlier, said airport sources.  So when the reception party of five arrived, they were not allowed to proceed beyond the alighting area by CISF guards.However, sources revealed that the group allegedly used business ties and managed to put their case before the duty manager. Sources also confirmed that they were aided by a Customs official. “We referred the matter to the senior duty manager of the international terminal,” said an airport source. After persuading the official, the team was allowed in.Around 100 cops and CISF men were deployed to handle the crowds when Anna arrived. But, “only about 15 persons had come to receive him,” said an airport police official. In fact, scribes and security men outnumbered the reception party (protestors included) almost ten-fold.