Two intruders broke through security by jumping into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery and lighting smoke canisters. The fact that they dared to stir up trouble in the House on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror assault, which had resulted in the deaths of nine staff members and security officers, was even more surprising.
Eight security staff have been suspended by the Lok Sabha Secretariat for indiscretions, and an investigation has been launched on the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directives. Under the UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), an anti-terror law, the invaders and their collaborators have been apprehended and charged.
Source: NDTV
The event has clearly shown how weak the parliamentary security apparatus is, necessitating its dismantling and replacement with a trained force. BJP MP Pratap Simha had arranged visitor cards that allowed the intruders to enter the gallery. Members of their constituencies always request such passes, and legislators always grant them.
The MP must attest that “the visitor is my relation/personal friend/known to me personally and I take full responsibility for her/him,” in accordance with the Parliament code. It is evident that the MP and his personal staff did not process applications with necessary thoroughness. The two’s ability to smuggle in smoke canisters demonstrates criminal negligence.
Source: The Economic Times
If security holes are not closed as soon as possible, terror organisations and other anti-Indian elements may take advantage of them, endangering national security. Visitors must be subject to strict regulations, and all Members of Parliament and their staff are required to carefully review each application that they receive. Any legislator who engages in reckless behaviour that jeopardises the physical or digital security of Parliament should face zero tolerance. Mahua Moitra, a Trinamool Congress MP, was recently ejected from the Lok Sabha for disclosing her parliamentary credentials to an unauthorised individual. Simha ought to face exemplary punishment as well.
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