Lok Sabha sees major security breach: How Parliament is protected from threats

It feels almost like a déjà vu of 2001 when Parliament came under attack by terrorists. On 13 December (today), MPs were left stunned and shocked when two men jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber, while the Winter Session of the Parliament was underway and opened canisters that emitted a yellow-coloured smoke. Footage of the security breach showed a man, wearing a dark blue shirt, leaping across desks to evade capture, while the second was in the visitors’ gallery spraying smoke. Both men were overpowered by Lok Sabha MPs and security staff and have been detained. Meanwhile, the police have also detained a man and a woman who were protesting outside Parliament premises using colour smoke canisters.

Providing an account of the breach, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said: “Two young men jumped from the gallery and something was hurled by them from which gas was emitting. They were caught by MPs, (and) they were brought out by security personnel. The House was adjourned till 2 pm. This is certainly a security breach because today we observed the death anniversary of people who sacrificed their lives in 2001.” This breach has put the spotlight on the security measures that are deployed at Parliament. So, we ask, how safe is Parliament? What are security measures at Parliament? In 2001, the Parliament came under attack when five terrorists entered and opened fire inside the premises, leading to the deaths of nine security personnel. Following this horrific incident, India promised itself that a 13 December would never be repeated. Since then, security measures have been increased with the government deciding that entry into the premises would be restricted. Today, barring MPs, officials, certified journalists, technicians and peons having valid identity cards, all others are disallowed entry. Visitors to Parliament need security clearance from parliamentarians themselves, thus becoming their responsibility. These measures have been put in place to prevent unauthorised entry. Moreover, a perimeter protection system has also been installed around Parliament House. [caption id=“attachment_13499762” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A Delhi Police officer frisks the bag of a cyclist at a checkpoint set up outside Parliament in New Delhi. Visitors arriving at Parliament have to undergo a three-level security check. AP[/caption] Authorities also state that while MPs don’t have to undergo frisking at Parliament, all other visitors and staff have to undergo a thorough frisking. In fact, there’s a three-level security check that occurs for visitors; one at the entry gate of the Parliament premises, another check at the entry gate of Parliament building and a third at the corridor that leads to various visitor gallery. They also have to use a separate entrance and leave their vehicles outside the Parliament House complex. Additionally, the guards at Parliament are trained to recognise the staff, including gardeners, sweepers and others on the premises. All of them, without exception, have to carry identity cards and are cleared by the Home Ministry, which periodically repeats the security checks. Also read: Lok Sabha security breach: Smoke cans apparently smuggled inside House in shoes Who’s in-charge of Parliament security? Security at Parliament is a complex and of very high responsibility. Multiple agencies are involved in ensuring the safety of MPs at the August House. The safety of MPs in and around the Parliament premises is tasked to the Parliament Security Service, which acts as the overall coordinating agency. Various security agencies such as the Delhi Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Special Protection Group (SPG) and National Security Guard (NSG) are also responsible for the safety of the MPs at Parliament. The Parliament Security Service is responsible for access control into the Parliament House Complex with the help of modern security gadgets and maintaining proper liaison with other security agencies. Meanwhile, the other agencies have modern weaponry and are assisted by sharpshooters and SWAT commandos of Delhi Police as they take control of the periphery of Parliament. [caption id=“attachment_13499772” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] A worker sweeps the area between old and new building of the Parliament House. Guards at the Parliament premises undergo vigorous training, which includes recognising staff and other members. AP[/caption] Incidentally, the Parliament Security Service also plays a crucial role during the presidential elections. It coordinates between the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the Delhi Police, Airport Security for the collection of the ballot boxes, containing ballot papers of respective state legislature, from the Airport, its safe transportation under armed guards from Airport to Parliament House where it is placed in safe custody under the aegis of the Returning Officer under lock and key under the protection of round the clock armed guards. According to the Parliament security manual, the Additional Secretary (Security) of Lok Sabha Secretariat is the overall in charge of the entire Parliament Security, including Parliament Security Service of Secretariats, Delhi Police, ITBP, CRPF. Meanwhile, Director (Security), Rajya Sabha Secretariat exercises operational control. What happens in case of a security breach? The Parliament manual has also noted down what steps are to be taken in case of a breach. According to the rules, if the breach is an offence punishable under the law, the matter will be reported to the police authorities by the Parliament Security Service. Moreover, an internal inquiry or preliminary investigation will also be conducted. As in this case, House Speaker Om Birla said that the Lok Sabha is carrying out a full investigation on its part, and directions have also been given to the Delhi Police. Birla added that preliminary investigation shows the smoke from the canisters was “harmless” and “not a cause of worry”.

“I will inform the House of results of the final investigation,” he was quoted as saying, adding that the intruders had been apprehended, and all materials on them had been seized, and the two outside were also apprehended. With inputs from agencies