Will BJP MP held responsible for Parliament security breach?
Speaker Om Birla assured MPs of a thorough investigation into the security breach,
Initial investigations indicate that Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan, seated in the Lok Sabha's visitors' gallery before initiating the disruption.
On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, a significant security breach unfolded on Wednesday as two individuals gained entry into the Lok Sabha chamber by leaping from the visitors’ gallery. This incident has prompted concerns about the effectiveness of the security measures in the new Parliament building, which reportedly incorporates a minimum of four screening levels.
According to reliable sources, six individuals were involved in planning and executing this major security breach in Parliament. Sagar Sharma and D Manoranjan, specifically identified, deployed yellow smoke canisters within the Lok Sabha, while Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde detonated red and yellow canisters outside the Parliament premises. Lalit Jha, residing in Gurgaon and hosting the other five individuals, has been identified as the fifth participant. Vicky Sharma from Gurgaon, the sixth individual, has also been apprehended.
Initial investigations indicate that Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan, seated in the Lok Sabha’s visitors’ gallery before initiating the disruption, were granted entrance passes requested by BJP MP Pratap Sinha’s office. Pratap Sinha, the BJP lawmaker from Mysuru, has expressed his intention to meet with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to clarify the circumstances surrounding the pass requests.
Further details, including the Aadhaar cards of Sagar Sharma and D Manoranjan, have been released by the police. Neelam Devi, aged 42, reportedly a teacher studying for the civil services, was actively involved in the farmers’ protest of 2020 but is not associated with any political party.
During the breach, Sagar Sharma attempted to reach the Lok Sabha Speaker’s Chair, but vigilant MPs apprehended him. Simultaneously, Manoranjan, his accomplice, remained in the gallery, deploying a smoke canister, presumably to divert attention.
Preceding the security incident within Parliament, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde discharged smoke canisters outside, accompanied by slogans denouncing dictatorship. All individuals arrested are currently undergoing interrogation by Delhi Police’s anti-terror cell. Speaker Om Birla assured MPs of a thorough investigation into the security breach and invited members to discuss and provide suggestions on enhancing Parliament’s security.
The question is whether the BJP MP whose office granted passes to these individuals will be held responsible for this lapse and how these people were granted permission without any conducting any background check on them. Another major question is why the security personnel did not check the individuals and how come there were no security personals inside the Parliament premises to control the situation?
The fact that these people who jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber were apparently sponsored by a sitting MP of the ruling party and managed to smuggle in smoke pistols shows a serious security lapse.
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 13, 2023
The incident took place on the 22nd anniversary of the terror attack on the old… pic.twitter.com/4ZH4tCTXvI
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