GUWAHATI: In the wake of a significant security breach at the Lok Sabha on December 13, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is set to assume "comprehensive security" responsibilities for the new Parliament building complex.
The Union Home Ministry has issued a directive for a thorough survey of the premises to enable the regular deployment of CISF security and fire wing in a comprehensive pattern, according to media reports.
The breach occurred when two individuals reportedly identified as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, infiltrated the Lok Sabha during a session, releasing yellow smoke within the premises.
The incident raised serious concerns over security protocols as the intruders managed to breach the visitors' gallery. MPs took swift action to apprehend the individuals, but questions lingered about the apparent loopholes in the existing security measures.
The CISF, a central armed police force with current responsibilities for safeguarding various central government ministry buildings, nuclear and aerospace installations, civil airports, and the Delhi Metro, will now extend its security coverage to both the new and old Parliament complexes, including associated buildings.
The deployment will incorporate expertise from the government building security unit of the CISF, fire combat and response officers, and officials from the current Parliament security team.
The security lapse, occurring on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, prompted a comprehensive review of the existing security infrastructure.
As per media reports, the two intruders had possession of entry passes signed by BJP MP Prarap Simha, with his office asserting that many individuals regularly seek such passes.
The accused, Manoranjan D, obtained the entry pass from the BJP MP's office after conducting a reconnaissance of the old Parliament building, discovering a security gap regarding the checking of shoes before entry—an oversight that they exploited, as shoes were similarly not checked in the new building.
In light of these revelations, the new security arrangement will also incorporate existing elements of the Parliament Security Service (PSS), the Delhi Police, and the Parliament Duty Group (PDG) of the CRPF.