On the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack, a massive security breach took place in Lok Sabha, when two intruders leapt into the chamber from the visitors gallery and opened smoke cans. Meanwhile, outside Parliament, two others were arrested for protesting with coloured smoke. But, how did they manage to dodge layers of security inside Parliament House? Well, officials say multiple factors contributed to the oversight — fewer security staff, reduced height of the visitors’ gallery from the House floor in the new Parliament building, an increase in the number of visitors of late, and shoes not being scanned, being some of them. We explain. The two intruders managed to enter Parliament with authorisation passes provided by BJP MP Pratap Simha. According to PTI, Manoranjan D, one of the accused, introduced co-accused Sagar Sharma as a friend to the MP’s office and got passes issued to them on the pretext of watching proceedings in the newly constructed House. Manoranjan D had been pursuing Simha and his office for the pass for over three months, reported PTI. Who is Simha? Read our profile of the MP. Follow our live blog on the Parliament security breach for the latest updates! Who are the accused? At least three of the four people arrested in connection with the Lok Sabha security breach are unemployed, with the families of two saying they were despondent over not getting a job. 👉🏽 Manoranjan D (35) A resident of Mysuru, he an engineering graduate who worked in an IT firm, was now helping his father with farming. 👉🏽 Amol Shinde (25) from Latur had failed to clear Army recruitment 👉🏽 Neelam Azad (37) from Jind had unsuccessfully appeared for a trained graduate teacher’s job. 👉🏽 Sagar Sharma (25) from Lucknow, drove an e-rickshaw. How the plan was hatched While they hailed from different parts of the country, the four accused met on Facebook about one-and-a-half years ago and were part of a group named after Bhagat Singh, according to Delhi Police sources. While a fifth accused, identified as Vishal Sharma alias Vicky, was later picked up from his residence in Gurgaon, another accused, identified as Lalit Jha, is still absconding. Express at Parliament “I was at a vantage point, right outside the chamber from where more MPs rushed out – some anxious, the others agitated.” The Indian Express’ Deputy Editor Liz Mathew witnessed Wednesday’s intrusion from the media gallery of the Parliament. She recounts what happened. Since the incident, visitors are not being allowed inside Parliament complex. As one would expect, jumping into the chamber of the House is not permitted under the Rules of the House. What do the rules say? Read our report. CPWD's security project Just a day before the security breach, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) floated a tender for additional security infrastructure, including gadgets and bulletproof barriers, for the Parliament complex. We break down the CPWD’s proposed project. The CPWD, the agency responsible for the complex’s construction and maintenance, had sought pre-qualification bids for “redevelopment of reception lounge, security blocks, E&M [electrical and mechanical] services, security gadgets, bullet-proof morchas and external development including sewerage and drainage etc”. So, what's next? After hours of interrogation, the four arrested over the security breach in Parliament have been charged under various sections of the IPC as well as under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Delhi Police informed. While Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma were arrested for breaking into Lok Sabha and jumping from the visitors’ gallery and opening smoke cans, Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde were held for opening smoke canisters outside Parliament.
