According to the TOI, very clearly the passengers were using cellphones and laptops while the flight was readying to takeoff. One of the other Asian passengers confirmed this and in addition, requested them not to do so - which they ignored. Frankly, this is a basic security requirement and if they ignored it, they should have known they had trouble coming. What did they expect, that they would do whatever they liked and the authorities would not act? The international airline security environment is hypersensitive now and it is better to err on the side of caution. Unfortunately I have seen several Indian passengers - on both domestic and international flights - flagrantly voilating the cellphone rule, as if the rules applied to everyone except them. If there has been an error on the side of the Dutch authorities, certainly make them apologise - but if the cellphone and laptop allegation is true, I think it is a good opportunity to educate some of our travellers who think they are above the law.
