"We all know what could have happened": Oppn members shred Centre over Parliament security lapse
Dec 13, 2023
New Delhi [India], December 14 : Hours after a major security breach shook up the new Parliament complex in the national capital, several members of the Opposition questioned the lapse which came on the 22nd anniversary of the terror attack on Parliament in 2001.
Reliving the panic and pandemonium inside the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour after two unidentified men jumped into the House from the visitors' gallery and set off smoke canisters that they were holding in their hands, DMK MP Kanimozhi said, "I was in the House when the incident took place. It was Zero Hour when two persons jumped into the House from the (visitors') gallery. One of them climbed on the desks and was jumping around with a shoe in his hand. He also held a cylindrical can-like thing which he opened and smoke started spreading inside the House. Some fellow members caught hold of them and overpowered them before the Marshals took them away."
Raising concerns over the major security lapse, the DMK MP added that a similar incident had happened earlier and it was 'sad and unfortunate' that the lessons weren't learned from the previous lapse.
"I think the incident represents a serious breach of security as they could have brought anything with them. Thankfully, no one was harmed or injured today. But that doesn't take away from the serious nature of the incident. We all know what could have happened," she added.
Meanwhile, TMC leader Shashi Panja alleged that the two men, who set the cat among the pigeons in the Lower House on Wednesday, were issued signed visitor passes by BJP MP Pratap Simha.
She added that the lawmaker from the ruling party must be expelled from the Parliament as he compromised 'national security'.
"BJP MP Pratap Simha gave two (visitor) passes by using which these two people (intruders) entered (the Lower House). The security of the Parliament was breached and that of the country threatened today. My fellow member and party colleague Mahua Moitra was expelled for allegedly sharing her login ID and password (to Dubai-based businessman friend Darshan Hiranandani), as it was seen as compromising national security. The BJP was also irresponsible in issuing passes to these people. The TMC demands that the member be expelled from Parliament for compromising our national security," Panja said.
Four of the six people found to be behind the security breach were detained while a manhunt was on for the other two, Delhi Police sources said on Wednesday.
