NEW DELHI: A significant security breach occurred during Parliamentโs Zero Hour at 1:02 pm on Wednesday. Two individuals, each wielding smoke canisters releasing a strange yellow smoke, leaped from the visitorsโ gallery and made their way into the Lok Sabha chamber.
A video footage from the Houseโs surveillance system depicted a man in a dark blue shirt skilfully navigating desks to avoid capture, while another individual in the visitorsโ gallery released smoke. Lok Sabha MPs and security personnel successfully subdued both individuals.
Images being circulated on social media showed a Lok Sabha official addressing the House just moments before the commotion. Abruptly, voices erupted, exclaiming, โCatch him, catch him.โ
FLASH: Two Intruders breached Parliament, lighting smoke sticks and shouting slogans in an attempt to disrupt proceedings.
The protestors are identified as Neelam Kaur and Amol Shinde. DCP, New Delhi clarified that there was no attack; it was a protest with color smoke.
Bothโฆ pic.twitter.com/eWd0XJLaVX
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 13, 2023
FLASH: Lok Sabha Winter Session was adjourned after an intruder barged into the lower house, climbing in through the visitorsโ gallery on the same day that the #ParliamentAttack2001 happened. pic.twitter.com/ItmSBqIgOL
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) December 13, 2023
According to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Danish Ali, a visitorโs pass was found after the altercation, and it was issued by the office of BJP MP Pratap Simha. Regardless of the pass issuer, any visitor must pass through five security levels before gaining entry to Parliament.
As per a report by NDTV, Congress MP Karti Chidambaramโs initial impression was that someone had fallen from the visitorsโ gallery. He only realised it was a security breach after the second person jumped, expressing concern that the gas released could have been poisonous. He urged for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
While presiding over the session and in the middle of signing documents, BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal adjourned the proceedings until 2 pm when the security breach unfolded. Simultaneously, two additional individuals, a man and a woman, were apprehended outside Parliament.
They were found in possession of smoke canisters that emitted red and yellow smoke upon detonation. According to media reports, sources from the Delhi Police revealed there is a probable connection between the two incidents.
Significant concerns are arising regarding the security breach, especially as it coincides with the 22nd anniversary of the terrorist attack on the old Parliament building. Just hours prior, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a commemoration honouring the nine soldiers who lost their lives in the attack.
