New Delhi:
There was a huge security breach inside the Lok Sabha on Wednesday afternoon. The breach was on the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament terror attack, in which nine people, including eight security staff, were killed and India was left shocked by a strike on the symbol of democracy.
The 2001 Parliament terror attack was carried out by two banned Pakistan-based terror groups – Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed – and five terrorists were killed. Hours before today’s incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla led tributes to those killed.
“Their courage and sacrifice in the face of danger will forever be etched in our memory,” the PM sad on X, while President Droupadi Murmu wrote, “On this day 22 years ago, the nefarious plan of terrorists to eliminate the top line of political leadership… and damage our Temple of Democracy was foiled.”
READ | Huge Parliament Security Breach: 4 People, 2 Incidents, Smoke In Lok Sabha
The security breach also comes after Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threated an attack on this day. Delhi Police were put on alert after he vowed to “shake the very foundation of Parliament”.
What Happened Today?
At 1.02 pm chaos erupted in the Lok Sabha after one man jumped from the visitors’ gallery and ran into the chamber. A second remained in the gallery. Both deployed canisters spewing yellow smoke. In a video shared online, the man who ran into the chamber jumped desks to try and evade capture.
However, he was eventually cornered by MPs. Lawmakers, understandably concerned for their security, have questioned the breach, pointing out that the smoke could have been toxic.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has said a thorough investigation will take place.
READ | “I Grabbed Gas Canister”: MP On Man Who Jumped Into Lok Sabha
Bahujan Samaj Party MP Danish Ali told NDTV a visitor’s pass was recovered after the scuffle and that it had been issued by BJP MP Pratap Simha’s office. However, irrespective of which MP’s office issues a pass, any visitor must clear five levels of security before being allowed inside Parliament.
READ | Lok Sabha Security Breach: What We Know So Far
Congress MP Karti Chidambaram told NDTV he initially thought somebody had fallen down from the visitors’ gallery. “It was only after the second person jumped that I realized it was a security breach… the gas could have been poisonous,” he said, calling for a thorough probe.
Smoke Attack Outside Parliament Too
Two other individuals – a man and a woman – were detained outside Parliament, also with coloured smoke canisters that exploded and spewed red and yellow smoke..
#WATCH | Delhi: Two protestors, a man and a woman have been detained by Police in front of Transport Bhawan who were protesting with colour smoke. The incident took place outside the Parliament: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/EZAdULMliz
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023
Delhi Police sources have told NDTV the two incidents are likely related. According to news agency PTI, the man and woman have been identified as Amol Shinde, 25, and Neelam, 42.
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