"Intruders were apparently sponsored by a sitting MP of the ruling party...," claims Shashi Tharoor on Parliament security breach
Dec 13, 2023
New Delhi [India], December 13 : Raising concerns over the security breach in Parliament, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday claimed that intruders were apparently sponsored by a sitting MP of the ruling party.
He further demanded a detailed response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
On the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament terror attack, there was a major security breach when two intruders entered the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitor gallery during Zero Hour.
"The fact that these people (intruders) were apparently sponsored by a sitting MP of the ruling party...These people smuggled in smoke pistols, which shows there is a serious security lapse. Not only did they fired the pistols but also shouted some slogans inaudible to some of us. The new building does not seem to be configured very well when it comes to security in comparison with the arrangements in the old building," Tharoor said.
He further said the meeting has been called by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and our party will raise all our concerns.
"This is the anniversary of the assault on Parliament in 2001. Now we are seeing another breach of security on that anniversary. The Speaker has convened the floor leaders for a meeting at 4 pm, but I do believe that the matter is serious enough that the Home Minister may want to explain to the nation about the security lapses and security arrangements," he added.
The Speaker said that a thorough investigation is underway regarding the security lapse in the House.
In a security breach in Lok Sabha, two men jumped into the House from the visitor's gallery and had canisters in their hand, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said.
They released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs.
Visuals showed an unidentified man jumping from the visitor's gallery of Lok Sabha after which there was a slight commotion. The House was adjourned till 2 pm.
The incident happened when members were raising matters of urgent public importance and BJP MP Khagen Murmu was raising his issue.
Simultaneously, two individuals, including a woman, sprayed colored gas and shouted slogans outside the Parliament premises.
