NEW DELHI, 14 Dec: Leaders of various opposition parties on Thursday held a meeting and demanded that the issue of breach in Parliament security be taken up seriously and discussed in both Houses.
The leaders met in the chamber of leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.
Several Congress MPs, including Kharge, have given notices for adjournment in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue while setting aside all other business of the House.
While Congress MP and whip Manickam Tagore has given an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha, party MP and whip in Rajya Sabha, Naseer Hussain, gave a similar adjournment notice under Rule 267 for discussing the issue.
Another party MP, Jebi Mather, also gave a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue.
Some parties are also contemplating meeting President Droupadi Murmu on the security issue and seek her intervention, as it involves the security of all MPs.
In his adjournment notice, Hussain said that two unauthorised visitors infiltrated the Lok Sabha chamber, causing chaos by shouting slogans and detonating smoke bombs while the House was in session. He said that, before this intrusion, two protestors engaged in a demonstration outside Parliament House, where also they ignited smoke bombs.
“These incidents seem to be part of a coordinated effort, involving a total of five individuals: the two infiltrators inside the Lok Sabha chamber, the two protestors, and an additional person, all suspected to be working in collusion.
“Given the gravity of the situation and its direct impact on the security of the esteemed institution of Parliament and its members, I propose that we demand a statement from the home minister regarding this matter.
“Subsequently, I suggest that the House engage in a comprehensive discussion on urgent remedial security measures to address and prevent such breaches in the future,” Hussain said in his adjournment notice.
In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack on Wednesday, two persons — Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D – jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters, and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs.
Security tightened
Meanwhile, a day after the Parliament security breach, stringent measures have been put in place in and around the building on Thursday with police and Parliament security staff thoroughly vetting credentials of those entering the complex.
Security personnel deployed outside Transport Bhavan, just metres away from the Parliament complex, did not allow anyone to go beyond barricades until they had checked their identity cards.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was not allowed to enter the new building from Makar Dwar. Sangma got down from his car and walked to Shardul Dwar to enter the building.
Drivers of members without passes were not being allowed to enter the complex.
At the Parliament complex entry gate, media persons were asked to produce their credentials and were asked questions.
Makar Dwar of the new Parliament House has been made out of bounds for everyone, with media shifted to the lawn near the old Parliament building’s Gate No 12. (PTI)