India: Major security breach in Lok Sabha, two men jump in MPs’ area from gallery, hurl smoke canisters

In a major security breach, the proceedings inthe Indian Parliament's lower house, Lok Sabha, were disrupted on Wednesday (Dec 13)by two men who jumped into the lawmakers' area from the visitors gallery with canisters and sprayed coloured smoke while the MPs and Speaker werearound. The security breach took place onthe 22nd anniversary of a deadly terror attack on the parliament complex.

In the 2001 attack, 14 people, including the five terrorists were killed. That attack happened in the old parliament building situated in the same complex.

The two intruders on Wednesday have been caught by the police.According to unconfirmed reports, the two persons were chanting slogans such as‘tanashahi nahi chalegi’ (dictatorship won’t be accepted).Meanwhile, two other people - a man and a woman - were detained for protesting outside the parliament by setting off canisters of coloured smoke. They were overpowered and led away by police.

The house was adjourned till afternoon before reconvening.

BJP MP Rajendra Agarwal, who was presiding over the House, said the two men jumped from the gallery before taking out something from their shoes which led to the smoke.

"Security officials have nabbed them. The investigation is underway and we will get to know what was their objective and if they are connected to any organisation," said Agarwal.

Speaking to reporters outside the building, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said:“Two young men jumped from the gallery and something was hurled by them from which gas was emitting. They were caught by MPs, they were brought out by security personnel."

"This is certainly a security breach because today we observed the death anniversary of people who sacrificed their lives in 2001.”

Sansad breaking.

Two people with tear gas canisters jumped into Lok Sabha well and opened it. House adjourned. #LokSabha pic.twitter.com/UrFZ7xE8pB — sansadflix (@sansadflix) December 13, 2023

Karti Chidambaram, another Congress MP said the canisters were emitting yellow smoke as one of the unidentified men attempted to make a dash towards the speaker's chair.

"They were shouting some slogans. The smoke could have been poisonous. This is a serious breach of security especially on December 13, the day when Parliament was attacked in 2001," said Chidambaram.

Trinamool Congress (TMC)leader Kakoli Dastidar said, "Unknown people jumped from the gallery. More than one person. They started shouting slogans, and spraying some gas."

Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla later said, “We are investigating the matter and have asked Delhi Police to join the inquiry.” He added that according to the preliminary investigation, the smoke sprayed in the house appeared to be "harmless".

Watch |'Will attack Indian Parliament on or before Dec,' Pannun threatens New Delhi

TMC MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay added: "It was a terrible experience. Nobody could guess what was their target and why were they doing this. We all left the House immediately, but it was a security lapse. How could they enter with instruments releasing smoke?"

The other man-woman protester duo were detained in front of Transport Bhawan where they were protesting using coloured smoke.

According to Delhi Police, the woman has been identified as Neelam while the man is one Amol Shinde, a resident of the Latur district in the western state of Maharashtra.

Pannun's threat

Notably, earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside other heavyweight leaders paid tributes to those who laid down their lives in the 2001 terror attack on parliament amid tight security in the wake of a threat by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

In a video, Pannun hadsaid he would respond to the Indian government byattacking the parliament on or before December 13. His threats followed a reported attempt to murder him was foiled.

The parliament's winter session began last Monday (Dec 4) and is expected to continue till December 22.

The parliament resumed operations at 2 pm IST with Speaker Om Birla saying: "We will discuss the arrangements. Nobody can stop the house from running. I will call everyone one by one. Smoke has been investigated, nothing to worry for anyone." The house was later adjourned for the day.

(With inputs from agencies)