New Delhi: In a significant move to enhance security measures following the recent breach incident, the Indian Parliament will now be safeguarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), replacing the Delhi Police, as announced by the Home Ministry. This change, outlined in a notification issued on Wednesday, aims to streamline security protocols and avoid potential conflicts between different agencies.
The CISF, known for providing integrated security cover to sensitive public sector undertakings, currently guards over 350 locations, including airports, seaports, and nuclear facilities. The decision to involve the CISF in Parliament security comes in the wake of a major security breach on December 13, where two individuals gained unauthorized access to the Lok Sabha's visitor gallery, triggering a security scare by releasing smoke canisters inside the chamber.
The comprehensive security overhaul, as revealed by a home ministry official, will include the CISF taking over all responsibilities, including the frisking of entrants. However, security within the Parliament building itself will remain under the purview of the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The Delhi Police will continue to protect the outer perimeter, ensuring a collaborative effort to fortify the overall security apparatus.
The breach incident, which saw smoke canisters being smuggled past physical checks, prompted the government to reevaluate and tighten entry protocols into the Parliament complex. Separate entrances have been designated for Members of Parliament and their staff, with a third gate allocated for press entry, albeit temporarily banned.
The security overhaul, reminiscent of airport security practices, will involve body frisking using hand-held detectors and thorough scanning of belongings, including shoes, jackets, and belts, through X-ray machines. The detailed security sweep, ordered by the Home Ministry, is expected to bring about a comprehensive revamp in Parliament security procedures.
As investigations continue, the political fallout from the breach incident has led to a fiery standoff, resulting in the suspension of 143 Opposition MPs from the current session of Parliament. The incident, which occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the attack on the old Parliament building, underscores the critical importance of maintaining the highest level of security in such a symbolically significant institution. /BI/
