CISF being considered for ‘comprehensive’ security deployment at Indian Parliament following recent security breach

Days after a major security breach in Parliament, the Union Government is in talks with concerned stakeholders to give “comprehensive” security of the institution to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Presently, the security of the Parliament complex is managed by Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and a specialised department called Parliament Security Service (PSS).

Sources within the government informed that deliberations on this matter took place during a recent meeting attended by officials from the Delhi Police, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the CISF, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other relevant divisions.

According to sources, the discussions are part of ongoing efforts to enhance the security infrastructure of the parliamentary institution. The final decision on entrusting the comprehensive security of Parliament to the CISF is expected to be reached in upcoming rounds of meetings scheduled for the following week.

An order has also been issued for the survey of the Parliament building complex to gather input before the deployment of the CISF– a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) that currently guards many central government ministry buildings in Delhi apart from installations in the nuclear and aerospace domain, civil airports, and the Delhi Metro.

The meeting to change the security set-up in the Parliament comes days after the Lok Sabha Secretariat suspended eight security personnel for security lapses in the Parliament security breach incident, which occurred on December 13, 2023 when two intruders namely, Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma, jumped into the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery and opened smoke canisters. They were later arrested by the Delhi Police.

Two more people, namely Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde were also held outside Parliament, where they opened similar smoke canisters.All four people have been charged under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The intruders then jumped from one seat to another and took out canisters when MPs tried to catch them. They released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the legislators. The House was then adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday.

The incident happened when members were raising matters of urgent public importance and BJP MP Khagen Murmu was raising his issue.

After the security of Parliament was breached, the Secretary General of Lok Sabha wrote to the MHA over a review of security, and a decision was taken that no passes would be issued for the visitors’ gallery till further orders.

On request from the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the MHA on December 13 ordered an inquiry into the Parliament security breach incident, and an inquiry committee was set up under Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Anish Dayal Singh with members from other security agencies and experts.

As per MHA, the enquiry committee will investigate the reasons for the breach in the security of Parliament, identify lapses and recommend further action.

“The Committee will submit its report with recommendations, including suggestions on improving security in Parliament, at the earliest,” the MHA had said.

This development comes in response to the imperative need for fortified security measures following a significant breach that raised concerns about the vulnerability of the Parliament premises. The government’s engagement with various stakeholders underscores a concerted effort to address and rectify security lapses and ensure the safeguarding of one of the country’s crucial institutions.