Parliament security breach: MHA wants change of guard, asks CISF to conduct survey before taking charge from Delhi Police

Quite disappointing

Parliament security breach: MHA wants change of guard, asks CISF to conduct survey before taking charge from Delhi Police

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to conduct a survey of the Parliament building and its premises for the regular deployment of its security wing and fire wing personnel before taking charge.

After conducting the survey, the CISF will submit its report, take over the security charge from the Delhi Police and start working with Parliament Security Services, a source said.

The decision was taken after the MHA ordered a probe into the December 13 Parliament security breach and an inquiry committee headed by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Anish Dayal Singh found that there were lapses at the security entrance, especially during frisking of visitors.

“Delhi Police personnel went on deputation to the Parliament Security Services. They are not working under the command of Delhi Police, but at the entrance gate, the personnel are working under the command of its security wing division,” a senior official said.

In an internal communication to CISF (Headquarters), Under Secretary Ashutosh Kumar said on December 20, “In principle approval of the competent authority is conveyed for carrying out the survey of the Parliament Premises and its building for regular deployment of CISF – both Security Wing and Fire Wing – on comprehensive pattern under Government Building Security (GBS).”

Following the MHA’s direction, a DIG-rank CISF officer sent a letter on December 20 to the IG (CISF NCR Sector) asking that a survey be conducted for regular deployment. “In pursuance of MHA’s ‘In-Principle’ approval, board for conducting joint survey of Parliament Premises and its Buildings for regular deployment of CISF Security and Fire Wing on comprehensive pattern, as per PSU and Fire norms, is hereby constituted with Ajay Kumar, DIG, CISF Unit CGBS, New Delhi as Presiding Officer,” the letter says.

“It is requested to detail other members of the joint survey board including an officer with technical expertise. An officer of CISF Fire Wing may also be detailed in consultation with the Fire Directorate The survey board may be directed to conduct the survey instructions/guidelines issued from time to time on conducting surveys in association with representative(s) of the Parliament Secretariat,” the letter adds.

“Duly completed survey reports for Security and Fire Wing with these documents may kindly be submitted to this Directorate at the earliest for further process please; information proforma, and IFD chart with specific justification for each duty post,” the letter further says.

On December 13, Lucknow resident Sagar Sharma and Mysuru resident Manoranjan D had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, shouted slogans and opened canisters that emitted yellow smoke, triggering panic among MPs. After the incident, eight security personnel had been suspended by the Lok Sabha Secretariat for the security lapse.

According to the MHA, the CISF is currently providing security cover to atomic power plants, space installations, defence production units, mines, oil fields and refineries, major seaports, heavy engineering, steel plants, fertiliser units, airports, hydroelectric or thermal power plants, sensitive government buildings, heritage monuments and important private sector units. It is also providing security cover to 355 units, including 66 domestic and international airports, and fire protection cover to 110 industrial undertakings.

“The specialised task of airport security was assigned to CISF in 2000 in the wake of the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 to Kandahar. The force has since been deployed at 66 airports across the country, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru,” an official said.

Mahender Singh Manral – 2023-12-21 11:33

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