In a startling turn of events, India's parliament faced a security breach on the 22nd anniversary of a historic militant attack, as at least two individuals infiltrated the parliamentary chamber, creating chaotic scenes. The intruders, who jumped into the well of the Lok Sabha from the visitors' gallery, disrupted proceedings by shouting slogans and spraying colored gas.
The incident unfolded during a session in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament, with images capturing the dramatic moment when MPs and security officials attempted to apprehend one of the intruders. The individual, evading capture, was seen agilely navigating from table to table, leading to a tense and frenzied atmosphere within the parliamentary hall.
Reports indicate that security officials managed to overpower the intruders, subsequently escorting them away from the scene. Both houses of parliament were briefly suspended in the aftermath of the breach, with normalcy returning only after a short hiatus.
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla addressed the media, revealing that an investigation into the matter was underway. Delhi Police have been called in to join the inquiry, emphasizing the seriousness of the security lapse. Birla mentioned that, based on preliminary findings, the smoke released in the chamber appeared to be "harmless," though the motive behind the intrusion remains unclear.
Lawmakers present during the disturbance provided firsthand accounts of the alarming event. Danish Ali, a member of parliament, described the chaos, stating, "Two people jumped from the public gallery and there was smoke. There was chaos all around. Both of them were overpowered by security officials."
Adding to the complexity of the situation, two other individuals—a man and a woman—were detained for protesting outside the parliament by setting off canisters of colored gas. Images captured the pair being led away by police, raising questions about potential coordination or a broader protest strategy.
The security breach occurred on the anniversary of a deadly attack on India's parliament in 2001, where 14 people, including five attackers, lost their lives. Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other leaders paid tribute to the victims of the 2001 attack.
Karti Chidambaram, an MP from the Congress party, provided a chilling account, stating, "Suddenly, it appeared that one person had fallen down from the visitors' gallery. Then we realized that it was a deliberate act of him jumping into the well. There was another person, both of them pulled out canisters which were emitting yellow smoke."
As the investigation unfolds, the security breach raises concerns about the safety and integrity of India's parliamentary proceedings, prompting a critical evaluation of existing security measures and protocols