CISF to be roped in for Parliament security

Following the security breach on December 13, when two men with smoke cans jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery, a preliminary probe by a committee headed by CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh had found security lapses at the entry point, during frisking of visitors. Eight security personnel were suspended for the breach.

In an internal communication to CISF (headquarters) on Wednesday, MHA Under Secretary Ashutosh Kumar said: “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).”

Accordingly, the CISF directed a joint survey by its Government Building Security unit, which guards central government offices, and fire wing. The survey is expected to draw the exact number of CISF personnel required for the task and define the role of each security agency engaged in Parliament security.

“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. 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 (as per) instructions/ guidelines issued from time to time on conducting surveys in association with representative(s) of the Parliament Secretariat,” said a letter sent by a DIG-rank officer of the CISF to the IG (CISF NCR Sector).

“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,” it said.