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Terror in the air: India protests detention of
its citizens in Amsterdam

      New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday summoned Dutch Ambassador to India, Eric Niehe, and protested against the arrest and detention of 12 Indians, who were on board Northwest flight number 42 from Amsterdam to Mumbai, on alleged suspicious behaviour. New Delhi conveyed its unhappiness over the incident to Niehe. The protest was conveyed by Secretary (West) in the MInistry of External Affairs, Shashi Tripathi. "Our officials here summoned the Dutch Ambassador here," Minister of State for External Affairs Minister Anand Sharma told reporters. "We have taken a strong notice of this development. It is not only unfortunate it should have never happened. We have asked for a detailed report from our mission in Holland," Sharma said. "Our (Indian Government's) views have been conveyed at the highest level to the Dutch Government. Our External Affairs Ministry officials have been in touch with the Dutch government at the highest level. Our Ambassador (in The Hague) was also in touch with them,' he added. The Minister said the Dutch Government has expressed regret over the incident.

     External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Navtej Sarna told reporters: "We have lodged our protest over the way the incident was handled and the treatment given to them". Sarna said that the Dutch Ambassador was told that the whole incident was not in conformity with the existing friendly relations between The Netherlands and India. The fact that the Indians were released without any charges being framed against them was symbolic of the work done by the Indian Government and its agencies there, he added. The 12 Indians released by the Dutch authorities have already left for home and would be in Mumbai by tonight. The Northwest Airlines of the US cancelled its Mumbai-bound flight No 42 which returned to Amsterdam's Schiphol airport shortly after take off following a security alarm. The Amsterdam-Mumbai flight, returned to Amsterdam escorted by two Dutch F-16 jetfighters, after a couple of passengers "displayed behaviour of concern".

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