Govt to deploy CISF in Parliament after 13 December security breach; Delhi Police may be removed

After Parliament security breach on 13 December, the anniversary of the 2001 terror attack in the premises, the government has decided to transfer “comprehensive” security of the Parliament House Complex to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Currently, the frisking and security check duties in the Parliament is being performed by the Delhi Police. “‘In principle’ approval of the competent authority is conveyed for carrying out the survey of the Parliament Premises and its buildings for regular deployment of CISF (both Security Wing and Fire Wing) on comprehensive pattern under Government Building Security (GBS) (sic),” a recent Union Home Ministry survey said. Sources told News18 that after the final approval and deployment of the CISF in the Parliament, the Delhi Police will either be removed from the security duty on the premises or fewer personnel would be deployed. Sources further said there have been serious lapses found on the part of Delhi Police, which manages initial checks and frisking, as the intruders managed to enter the Parliament building on 13 December, 2023, with smoke canisters.

Also, a survey has been planned for regular deployment of CISF in the Security Wing and Fire Wing at Parliament premises and its building, with DIG CISF tasked with leading it.

“It is requested to detail other members of the joint survey board including an officer with technical expertise. An officer of CISF Fire Wing may also be detailed in consultation with the Fire Directorate. The survey board may be directed to conduct the survey instructions/ guidelines issued from time to time on conducting surveys in association with representative(s) of the Parliament Secretariat,” an official communication of the CISF, accessed by News18, said.

After the completion of the survey, reports for Security and Fire wings would be submitted and a final approval will be given for the deployment.

Meanwhile, a report by PTI quoted sources saying both the new and the old Parliament complex as well as their allied buildings will be brought under a comprehensive security cover of the CISF which will also have the existing elements of Parliament Security Service (PSS), the Delhi Police and the Parliament Duty Group (PDG) of the CRPF. Who are CISF? The CISF is a central armed police force (CAPF) that currently guards many building of central government ministry in Delhi. They are also deployed for security at installations in the nuclear and aerospace domain, civil airports as well as in the Delhi Metro. 13 December Parliament security breach On 13 December, 2023, a major security breach was reported in the Indian Parliament after two people - Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D - jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs. Around the same time, two other people - Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi - sprayed coloured smoke from canisters while shouting slogans outside the Parliament premises. All the four accused were immediately taken into custody, while their accomplice Vishal, in whose house they stayed before reaching Parliament, was detained later from Gurugram in Haryana. Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat were arrested later. A committee under the chairmanship of CRPF director general Anish Dayal Singh is looking into the overall security issues of the Parliament complex and will make recommendations to the Union home ministry for improvement. With inputs from agencies