India’s parliament faced a security breach on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 militant attack. Two unidentified men intruded into the Lok Sabha, the lower house, creating chaos by shouting slogans and releasing colored gas in the complex.
Also Read: Pakistan: 23 Soldiers Killed in Suicide Attack on Army Base
The breach occurred during a session in the Lok Sabha when two individuals, later identified as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D, jumped from the public gallery into the well of the house.
The intruders, both around 20 years of age, proceeded to run around the chamber, with one attempting to reach the Speaker’s chair. Reports indicate that they carried canisters emitting yellow smoke.
Members of Parliament and security officials intervened, with images showing a commotion as lawmakers tried to apprehend the intruders.
The Lok Sabha session was adjourned, and both houses suspended temporarily. Security personnel managed to overpower the intruders, and they were taken into custody.
Two more individuals, a man and a woman identified as Neelam and Amol Shinde, protested outside the parliament by releasing colored gas canisters and shouting slogans. The duo was also detained by the police.
The security breach prompted strong reactions from political figures across party lines. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed deep concern and announced a high-level investigation into the matter.
Members of Parliament, including Karti Chidambaram, expressed their shock and described the incident as a serious breach of security.
The timing of the security breach is particularly as it occurred on the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on India’s parliament.
Also Read: Switzerland: Gunman Kills 2 in Southern Town of Sion
On this day in 2001, the parliament complex was targeted by gunmen, leading to the death of 14 people, including five attackers.
The attack escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, as New Delhi blamed Pakistan-linked terror groups for the attack.
Several lawmakers and political figures have concerns about the efficacy of the security measures in the new Parliament building, inaugurated just three months ago.
Questions have been raised about how gas canisters made it past security checks, leading to calls for a security audit.
The fact that the intruders were able to breach the high-security area is seen as a serious lapse that requires urgent attention.
Law enforcement agencies, including Delhi Police, are actively investigating the incident. Four individuals, including the two intruders and the protesters outside, have been detained.
Details suggest that the intruders, Neelam and Amol, caught outside the Parliament building, were not carrying mobile phones, bags, or identity proofs.
They claim independent actions and deny association with any organization. Opposition leaders demanding answers from the government.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the leader of India’s main opposition Congress party, described the breach as a serious issue and questioned how two individuals could infiltrate despite elaborate security measures. The demand for accountability and a thorough review of security arrangements has gained traction.
Police sources have identified the two men who triggered the security breach as Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D. Sagar Sharma hails from Lucknow and is the son of Shankarlal Sharma, while Manoranjan D, 35, is a resident of Mysore, Karnataka, holding a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science.
Also Read: Donald Trump Refuses Second Testimony in $250 Million New York Fraud Trial
Statements from Political Figures:
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla: “The incident that happened today is a topic of concern for all of us & is serious as well… A high-level investigation is being done & accordingly action will be taken. A comprehensive review will be done regarding the security in the House.”
- Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: “The security breach inside Parliament on the anniversary of the 2001 attack is an affront to our democratic values. An urgent investigation is vital to uncover who were the attackers, how did they get in, what were their motives… Action must be swift and strict.”
- AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha: “Today’s security breach is an agonizing echo of that dark day in 2001. This is not just a breach; it’s an outright attack on our democracy. An immediate and thorough investigation is needed to swiftly unmask the perpetrators. We must fiercely protect our democratic institutions.”
- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor: “The fact that these people were apparently sponsored by a sitting MP of the ruling party… These people smuggled in smoke pistols which show there is a serious security lapse.”
- AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami: “The security breach in Lok Sabha is a challenge to the nation’s sovereignty and demands tough action against the intruders. The central government must address the security lapse. It is a matter of anguish; it has happened on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack.”
- PMK Founder S. Ramadoss: “It is a matter of deep concern that such incidents could be carried out easily inside the Parliament. The security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 attack raises questions. A detailed inquiry should be ordered, and a security audit of the new Parliament complex is necessary to identify potential risks.”
- TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar: The TMC strongly criticized the central government for the security breach, expressing concerns about the vulnerability of democratic institutions and calling for accountability. TMC MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, an eyewitness, condemned the breach as a “major breach of security” and questioned the entry of individuals carrying canisters into the House.
Also Read: Riot in Brazil as Santos FC Faces First Relegation
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/QW4CNDDEK5OIFLQAWRTLCIANPU.jpg)
