In a shocking turn of events during the Winter Session of the Indian Parliament, the Lok Sabha experienced a major security breach on Wednesday (13 Dec), resulting in the detention of four individuals by the Delhi Police.
Two unidentified persons managed to breach security protocols by jumping into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery. Simultaneously, outside the Parliament, a man and a woman were detained for their involvement in a protest that involved the use of colored smoke.
The incident unfolded on a significant day, marking the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. This attack, carried out by terrorists associated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed outfits, claimed the lives of nine people.
The Lok Sabha descended into chaos as the two unidentified individuals entered the House chamber. Members of Parliament (MPs) hurriedly evacuated as the individuals reportedly shouted slogans and released gas. The entire incident was captured on camera, revealing the severity of the security breach.
Delhi Police promptly detained both individuals from inside the Lok Sabha, with one of them identified as Sagar Sharma. Additionally, a man identified as Amol Shinde (25) and a woman identified as Neelam (42) were apprehended for their protest outside the Parliament, involving the use of cans emitting yellowish smoke.
MPs who witnessed the incident described scenes of panic and chaos. While some highlighted the potential danger, stating that the emitted smoke could have been poisonous. Others criticized the lack of identification tags for visitors and reporters, emphasizing a security lapse.
Addressing the House, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed the apprehension of the individuals involved and the seizure of materials. He stated that the preliminary investigation indicated that the smoke was of an ordinary kind, seeking to allay concerns about potential harm.
2001 Parliament attack
The incident occurred on the solemn anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, where terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) opened fire on the Parliament complex.
On the morning of December 13, 2001, at approximately 11:40 am, a group of five terrorists infiltrated the Parliament House Complex. They utilized an Ambassador car equipped with a red light and a forged Home Ministry sticker on the car’s windshield.
As the suspicious vehicle approached Building Gate No. 12, a vigilant member of the Parliament House Watch and Ward Staff intervened, compelling the car to turn back. In the process, the car collided with the vehicle of then Vice President Krishan Kant. Subsequently, the terrorists disembarked and initiated gunfire.
An immediate alarm was sounded, leading to the swift closure of all building gates. A fierce firefight ensued, spanning over 30 minutes. The confrontation resulted in the elimination of all five terrorists, along with the unfortunate loss of eight security personnel and a gardener. Additionally, at least 15 individuals sustained injuries. Notably, the approximately 100 ministers and Members of Parliament present in the Parliament at that time emerged unharmed.
The security breach raises questions about the vulnerability of parliamentary spaces and the need for enhanced measures to ensure the safety of lawmakers and staff during crucial sessions.