Lok Sabha security breach: Speaker Om Birla promises investigation, 4 detained

On Wednesday afternoon, two men entered into the House chamber, causing havoc in the Lok Sabha. The first reports said that the two were carrying gas canisters. One member of parliament described the security breach as occurring at a moment when two men appeared out of nowhere and there was yellow smoke in the air. Speaker Om Birla promised an investigation into the incident and described the smoke as “ordinary kind” when the House reconvened.

The speaker said, “A thorough investigation of the incident that took place during zero hour, is being done. Essential instructions have also been given to Delhi Police. In the primary investigation, it has been found that it was just a smoke and there is no need to worry about the smoke.”

The two men are being held at a police station after being taken into custody. In addition, two demonstrators—a man and a woman—who were using coloured smoke to express their disapproval were arrested outside the Parliament. The Delhi police said that all four of the individuals will be questioned.

Coincidentally, the Wednesday security lapse in the Lok Sabha took place on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, in which armed terrorists broke into the Parliament premises.

Following the security breach, the Lok Sabha was momentarily adjourned, and the MPs were hurriedly dismissed.

Describing what happened in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says “Today itself, we paid floral tribute to our brave hearts who sacrificed their lives during the Parliament attack and today itself there was an attack here inside the House. Does it prove that we failed to maintain a high level of security?…All the MPs fearlessly nabbed the two people but I want to know where were the security officials when all of this happened?”

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram says “Suddenly two young men around 20 years old jumped into the House from the visitor’s gallery and had canisters in their hand. These canisters were emitting yellow smoke. One of them was attempting to run towards the Speaker’s chair. They were shouting some slogans. The smoke could have been poisonous. This is a serious breach of security especially on 13th December, the day when Parliament was attacked in 2001.”

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