Following the security breach last week, access to Parliament will now be overseen by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), as stated in a Home Ministry notification issued on Wednesday. The CISF will assume the primary responsibility, taking over from the Delhi Police, and will manage all aspects, including the screening of entrants.
Security arrangements within the building will remain the responsibility of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, while the police will continue safeguarding the outer perimeter. This transition, seen as an effort to streamline protocols and avoid overlapping responsibilities among various agencies, will be implemented after a thorough security sweep mandated by the Home Ministry.
The CISF, recognized for providing \”integrated security cover to sensitive public sector undertakings,\” currently oversees security at more than 350 locations, including airports, seaports, and nuclear facilities.
On December 13, two individuals gained entry to the Lok Sabha\’s visitor gallery using passes issued by a BJP MP\’s office and discharged yellow smoke canisters inside the chamber, causing widespread panic. These canisters managed to bypass the physical checks conducted by the Delhi Police as they were concealed in cavities within custom-made shoes.
Two other individuals, a man and a woman, released red and yellow smoke canisters outside the complex.
Sagar Sharma and D Manoranjan were responsible for releasing yellow smoke canisters inside the Lok Sabha. All four individuals have been apprehended and are currently undergoing police interrogation. Two additional individuals, including the alleged mastermind, are also in custody. However, the entire incident has sparked a major political controversy, with the opposition demanding answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government.
This controversy has escalated into a heated political standoff, leading to the suspension of 143 opposition MPs from this session of Parliament, the last full sitting before next year\’s election.
In response to the security threat, the government promptly announced tightened entry protocols into the Parliament complex, limiting access for visitors and non-essential staff. Separate entrances were designated for MPs and their staff members, while press access was temporarily suspended and redirected to a third gate.
Upon the resumption of visitor access, they will be required to use a fourth gate. Additionally, the visitors\’ gallery will be enclosed in glass to prevent individuals from leaping into the House chamber, and body scanning machines, similar to those in airports, will be installed.
The security breach occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the attack on the old Parliament building, where terrorists from two Pakistan-based outfits killed nine people.
