In a concerning turn of events at Parliament, police sources revealed that six individuals were involved in orchestrating the security breach on Wednesday, triggering widespread scrutiny of the existing security protocols within the new building. The breach, occurring precisely 22 years after the harrowing terror strike that claimed nine lives in the old Parliament building, has raised serious questions about the efficacy of the current security screening, reported to comprise at least five levels of scrutiny.
The perpetrators involved in this coordinated breach included Sagar Sharma and D Manoranjan, who deployed yellow smoke canisters within the Lok Sabha, and Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde, responsible for releasing red and yellow smoke canisters outside Parliament. The fifth individual, Lalit Jha, is believed to have provided accommodation to the other conspirators, while the identity of the sixth person involved remains undisclosed, with both currently evading law enforcement.
Investigations have traced the origins of Sagar Sharma from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and D Manoranjan from Mysuru, Karnataka, while Amol Shinde hails from Latur, Maharashtra, and Neelam Devi from Hisar, Haryana. Disturbingly, the passes granting access to the Lok Sabha were facilitated by BJP MP Pratap Sinha's office, prompting an impending explanation from Mr. Sinha to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the issuance of these passes.
The police disclosed that the group orchestrated their plan through online meetings, yet no evidence suggests radicalization by any terror organization at this stage. Further revelations included the release of the Aadhaar card details of Sagar Sharma and D Manoranjan, while Neelam Devi, aged 42, is identified as a teacher pursuing studies for the civil services. Neelam's brother clarified her involvement in the 2020 farmers' protest against the government's agricultural laws but asserted her lack of affiliation with any political party.
The breach unfolded during the Lok Sabha's Zero Hour session, with Sagar Sharma leaping from the visitors' gallery, deploying the yellow smoke canister, and attempting to reach the Speaker's Chair, only to be subdued by MPs. Simultaneously, his accomplice, Manoranjan, released smoke in the gallery, adding to the chaos.
Outside Parliament, Neelam Devi and Amol Shinde discharged colored smoke canisters while vocalizing slogans against the dictatorship. All four perpetrators have been apprehended and are under interrogation by the anti-terror cell.
In response to apprehensions raised by MPs regarding their safety, Speaker Om Birla assured a thorough investigation, adjourning the Lower House until 11 am Thursday. This breach, coinciding with the grim anniversary of the past attack and recent threats of disruption, underscores the pressing need for heightened security measures and a comprehensive reassessment of the existing protocols to safeguard the sanctity of Parliament.
