On a chilly Wednesday afternoon (December 13), when the entire country was remembering the fallen jawans on the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament attack, chaos prevailed when two intruders breached the security at one of the most secure places in the country, the new Parliament building in the national capital.

Two men with visitor passes managed to enter the Parliament with smoke cannisters. During the Question Hour in Lok Sabha, the intruders, seated in the visitors’ gallery, jumped into the chamber and leaped across desks to evade capture. While one of them tried to reach the Speaker’s chair, the other took out a gas canister from his shoes and opened it, leaving the chamber filled with yellow smoke.

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023

The massive security breach at Parliament today has raised several questions about the security process at the new Parliament where the elected representatives, including the Prime Minister, from across the country come together to govern the nation.

Also Read: Security breach in Lok Sabha on Parliament attack anniversary, 2 held | WATCH Video

Who is in-charge of Parliament security?

The Parliamentary Security Service of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariat look after the security setup in the Parliament House Complex. At the epicentre of the Parliament’s security apparatus stands the Joint Secretary (Security), a figure entrusted with the daunting responsibility of overseeing operations involving Parliament Security Services, Delhi Police, Parliament Duty Group, and various allied security agencies.

The security system at the Parliament has been designed as a multi-layered system, incorporating both cutting-edge technologies and traditional security measures. Tyre killers and road blockers are strategically placed and a Security Power Fence adorns the perimeter, creating a threat to intruders. A joint command and control centre has been established for better coordination.

Also Read: ‘Attack on democracy’: Opposition fumes over Parliament breach, demands probe into security lapse

Security overhaul after 2001 Parliament attack

The security process that was in use at the old Parliament building was overhauled after the 2001 attack. The three-tier process that was put in place then was upgraded to four. Since then, the government has decided that entry into the premises would be restricted.

A special unit of Delhi Police and a CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) contingent are posted at the Parliament. Other security tiers involve agencies including the Central Industrial Security Force and the Fire Service.

Today, barring MPs, officials, certified journalists, technicians and peons having valid identity cards, all others are disallowed entry. Visitors to Parliament need security clearance from parliamentarians themselves, thus becoming their responsibility. These measures have been put in place to prevent unauthorised entry.

The new Parliament building also has hi-tech and advanced facial artificial intelligence mechanisms.

Also Read: Parliament breach: New video shows MPs thrashing intruder who invaded Lok Sabha | WATCH

Here’s a look at the security checks that a visitor has to go through to enter the Parliament:

The issuing of visitor passes involves mandatory background checking. The prospective visitors have to show letters recommending their entry signed by a Member of Parliament.

The security layers in place involve thorough frisking of visitors and checking of their belongings. Phones, bags, pens, water bottles and even coins are not allowed and they also have to show their Aadhaar card. They also have to cross at least three full-body scanners. Only after this process, the visitors are allotted passes.

The process starts with the entry into the Parliament area from the iron gates. The security arsenal includes Door-frame Metal Detectors, modern gadgets, and Radio Frequency Tags controlling vehicle access, according to the Sectional Manual of Office Procedure (SMOP) of the Parliament Security Service, issued by the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

After getting through from metal detectors, one enters into the second level of security check where the staff ensures that all visitors are permitted entry only on the basis of valid entry permits. The staff also ensures that all bag/briefcases of visitors are screened by the baggage scanners.

Also Read: ‘House didn’t stop then, won’t stop now’: Speaker Om Birla as Lok Sabha reconvenes after Parliament security breach

Before entering into visitor gallery another security check is done. The security staff posted at the Public Gallery Checking Post ensures that all visitors are searched/frisked through the Door Frame Metal Detector/Hand Held Metal Detector. At this point, the staff also carefully checks the visitor’s card and compares it with the approved list given to them.

The visitor passes are again checked by the security staff once they enter into the public gallery. The Parliament Security Staff maintain a close vigil on the visitors and ensure that they don’t indulge into any kind of mischief or disturbance like shouting slogans or attempting to jump into the Chamber, according to the official security procedure manual.

What happens in case of a security breach?

The Parliament manual has also noted down what steps are to be taken in case of a breach. According to the rules, if the breach is an offence punishable under the law, the matter will be reported to the police authorities by the Parliament Security Service. Moreover, an internal inquiry or preliminary investigation will also be conducted.

Also Read: Parliament attack 22nd anniversary: PM Modi, Amit Shah pay tribute to fallen jawans

As in this case, House Speaker Om Birla said that the Lok Sabha is carrying out a full investigation on its part, and directions have also been given to the Delhi Police. Birla added that preliminary investigation shows the smoke from the canisters was “harmless” and “not a cause of worry”.

Despite the Parliament being a fortress, which is guarded by personnel of multiple security agencies around the clock, two men managed to enter the complex with gas canisters and breached the security. What caused the lapse in security and how they managed to bring the canisters through a plethora of metal detectors are questions that can only be answered once the investigation is complete.