8 personnel suspended, security raised in House a day after lapse

The Lok Sabha Secretariat on Thursday suspended eight security personnel for the lapses in Parliament the previous day, people aware of the matter said, although they did not clarify if they were part of the Parliament Security Service – an in-house security wing -- or were on deputation from the Delhi Police and other security agencies.

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At 1.01pm on Wednesday, two men walked through three layers of security with smoke canisters concealed in their shoes, vaulted into the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery, and set off smoke inside the chambers.

The suspended personnel were tasked with frisking visitors and media persons, a person aware of the matter said on Thursday, asking not to be named.

The security breach has triggered an alarms and brought back memories of the 2001 terror attack, which took place exactly 22 years to the day on December 13, and angered opposition MPs who pressed the government to explain how the breach could occur.

The security of the complex is managed by Delhi Police, paramilitary forces and a specialised department called Parliament Security Service (PSS).

PSS is led by a joint secretary-level officer – usually from the Indian Police Service and Delhi Police – and has three levels of security check for any visitor – at the entrance of the Parliament complex right before guest passes are made, at the gate of the new Parliament building, and right before the visitor enters the gallery.