Security in Parliament: Current rules of entry and how they work
After the terror attack on december 13, 2001, Parliament's security was heavily tightened, but the massive security breach on wednesday - two people managed to clear multiple layers of security checks, smuggled smoke canisters into the lok sabha, and jumped into the house from the visitor's gallery - has raised serious questions about gaps in the system as well as the process.
Surprisingly, no agency has yet labeled the incident a terror act. The delhi police, paramilitary troops, and a specialist organization known as the parliament Protection service (PSS) are in charge of the protection of the parliament complex. While police regulate access to the region surrounding the facility, paramilitary jawans patrol the compound's outside data-border. The PSS and delhi police are in command on the inside.
Surprisingly, no agency has yet labeled the incident a terror act. The delhi police, paramilitary troops, and a specialist organization known as the parliament Protection service (PSS) are in charge of the protection of the parliament complex. While police regulate access to the region surrounding the facility, paramilitary jawans patrol the compound's outside data-border. The PSS and delhi police are in command on the inside.
PSS has three levels of security checks for any visitor, led by a joint secretary-level officer - usually from the indian police service and delhi police - at the entrance of the parliament complex right before guest passes are issued, at the gate of the new parliament building and right before the visitor enters the gallery. Visitors are subjected to comprehensive screening at every level, and they are not permitted to bring anything, even pencils or books, inside the House. PSS assists people who come to observe the proceedings on the advice of an MP.
Another group of visitors comes as personal guests of the lok sabha Speaker or rajya sabha Chairman. Diplomats and foreign dignitaries are included. These individuals are recognised as distinguished guests, and some security processes are waived for them.
Others (including the two who violated security) who observe the proceedings for a maximum of one hour must go through a stringent security procedure. After passing all security checks, they are taken to the gallery - there are three for regular visitors - by several security personnel. Even inside the public galleries, visitors are subject to security checks.
Another group of visitors comes as personal guests of the lok sabha Speaker or rajya sabha Chairman. Diplomats and foreign dignitaries are included. These individuals are recognised as distinguished guests, and some security processes are waived for them.
Others (including the two who violated security) who observe the proceedings for a maximum of one hour must go through a stringent security procedure. After passing all security checks, they are taken to the gallery - there are three for regular visitors - by several security personnel. Even inside the public galleries, visitors are subject to security checks.