Lok Sabha Security Breach : What is Visitor’s Pass? What is the security setting in Parliament?

The Indian Parliament is considered as one of the safest places in the country, where the representatives of different constituencies sit without fear. Today, on the 22nd anniversary of Parliament attacks in 2001, two visitors managed to break the security and entered the Parliament with canisters. 

These two accused Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma entered the parliament with canisters and were seated in the visitors’ gallery. They then took out the canister and jumped on the seats of MPs. 

This security breach took place on the same day when terrorists attacked the Parliament in 2001. However, the security forces have denied any relation and said the two accused are normal people and want to register the protest. 

This incident has shaken up the security services of the Parliament. But the officials have denied every angle of this incident related to terrorism. 

Visitor pass: Entry Rules and process

Here we have explained all the levels of the Security System and the process of Visitors’ Pass. 

The Multilayer Security System

The security system of Parliament is operated by several agencies including, Parliament Security Services, Delhi Police, Parliament Duty Group and various allied security agencies. 

The Parliament Security System is designed as a multi-layered defense mechanism incorporating high-tech technologies and conventional security measures. This security measure has tyre-killers and road blockers which are placed with a Security power fence placed in a way which creates threat to the intruders. For a better synergy of all the forces a joint command and control center has been established. 

Responsibilities of Different Areas

The Security Officer/ Assistant Director (Security) will properly check the passes of everyone moving inside the Parliament House Building and can also raise a case of misuse, to the Deputy Director of Security. 

The in-change of the Area ensured all the specific rules and regulations of their area of responsibility are implemented properly without any leak and these things are briefed properly to the staff. All the supervisory officers of the respective areas take frequent rounds of their area of responsibility to intercept any person moving inside the premises in a suspicious manner. 

The Protocols and the Passes

Inside the Parliamentary complex, the issuing of Gallery passes was a process governed by controlled protocols. Only MPs (Member of Parliament) could apply for the Gallery Passes either with a Paper application or the Digital Sansad Website. 

Strict safeguards were in place during sessions to prevent laborers from gaining passes, and each pass was given a unique ID.

Cutting Edge Security on Gates

The security features of the entrance are of a very high level that includes a Door-frame with metal detectors, modern gadgets and Radio Frequency Tags which control vehicles. This incident has marked a question on these security arrangements. 

Every visitor who enters the Parliament gets their bags checked at least three times and this process starts with the entrance in the Parliament area. The process starts with the entry in the Parliament area. After moving forward from metal detectors, the person enters the second level of security, prior entering into the visitor gallery where they do another security check. 

The Prohibition of Ammunition

Only some Security Personnel are allowed to carry arms with permission. Even the security of MPs which have Arms and Ammunition are prohibited inside Parliament House Complex. 

Identification For Entry Inside Parliament

The access to enter inside the Parliament is based on multiple verifications and synergy between the various security agencies, that responds to the evolving threats. 

This mechanism of Parliamentary Security Services plays an important role in liaising with the Delhi Police, Parliament Duty Group, Intelligence Bureau, Special Protection Group and National Security Guard. 

Even after all these security check points which are hard to break the visitors managed to take the canisters inside the Lok Sabha. Now this high-end security mechanism needs a re-evaluation of all the measures.