CISF to take over Parliament security

Decision comes after recent breach of security in Lok Sabha chamber; responsibility of frisking and scanning the baggage of visitors to the Parliament is currently done by Delhi police

December 21, 2023 12:48 pm | Updated 11:54 pm IST - New Delhi

Following the Lok Sabha security breach on December 13, the Government is implementing changes in the building’s security personnel. File

Following the Lok Sabha security breach on December 13, the Government is implementing changes in the building’s security personnel. File | Photo Credit: ANI

The Union Home Ministry has approved the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the Parliament complex, according to a government order.

The decision comes days after the December 13 security breach in the Parliament. Eight Delhi police security personnel who were responsible for frisking and baggage scanning were suspended after the incident.

“In-principle approval of the competent authority is conveyed for carrying out the survey of the Parliament premises and its buildings for regular deployment of CISF (both Security Wing and Fire Wing) on comprehensive pattern under Government Building Security (GBS),” the order issued on December 20 said.

Also read: Parliament Winter Session Day 14 | Lok Sabha Opposition MPs protest; Rajya Sabha to discuss Telecom Bill

The paramilitary force is deployed at other Central government buildings, airports, and Delhi Metro among others.

Two men carrying colour spraying canisters jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber to protest the rising rate of unemployment, Manipur ethnic violence and the farmers issue. In all, six people have been arrested and booked under various sections, including terror charges.

The accused who entered on a visitor’s pass recommended by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Pratap Simha had hidden the canisters in their shoes, which went undetected by security personnel.

The overall security inside the Parliament is administered by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

While access control such as frisking and scanning the baggage is the responsibility of the Delhi police, the Parliament Duty Group (PDG), an armed component of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is deployed in case an armed intervention is required. The Parliament Security Service under the Lok Sabha Speaker is the overall in-charge of security.

The Union Home Ministry has constituted a committee headed by acting CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh to probe the lapses that led to the security breach at Parliament.

Top News Today

Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.