Security breach on December 13
On December 13, of two young men jumping into the chamber of the Lok Sabha from the visitors’ gallery, shouting slogans against dictatorship and releasing canisters that emitted yellow smoke.
But, this breach of security, on the same day, in 2001, when nine personnel of Parliament — of the Delhi Police, Parliament security personnel and a gardener — lost their lives defending the same citadel of democracy from terrorists – has a much wider impact and ramifications.
There are spike barriers, bollards, drop gates with the latest technology, scanners, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices, anti-explosive checks, and additional manpower that form the layers of security.
A phalanx of men and women from the central police forces are deployed in the outer precincts,
Plainclothes men from the Parliament Duty Group, and the Delhi police manning the various stations and checkpoints in the inner environs.
Concerns about the current security measures
The breach happened all along the various layers of security set up for the personal screening of visitors to Parliament.
The door frame and handheld metal detectors check for metals in one’s possession.
There is personal frisking — a body search for hidden items.
But neither door frame metal detectors nor handheld metal detectors can check for plastic or rubber, especially when hidden in one’s.
In fact, shoes are never checked in Parliament.
The men who did the screening were following the usual standard operating procedure.
Later, in the visitor’s gallery, the security personnel were not watchful enough.
The marshals down below in the House, only used to carrying out named Members of Parliament (MP) out of the House,
Marshals failed to nab the two men hopping across the benches.
It was some of the MPs present who were able to nab the intruders.
Role of Technology - Recommendations
The responsibility certainly not alone with the men at the screening stations.
They were only following the standard protocol.
A backscatter scanner can detect substances such as plastic and is being used in airports abroad.
In fact, the United States and Europe have moved to using millimeter wave scanners.
Those who are watchful move ahead with the technology of the times.
There was an announcement recently by the Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, that Delhi airport is to get full body scanners and computer tomography x-ray (CTX) machines to ensure more thorough but also faster screening.
A mere inquiry to look into the lapse and corrective measures may not be enough.
This should be an opportunity to make sweeping changes in the security set-up using out-of-the-box thinking.
The Secretary, Security, in the Cabinet Secretariat who supervises the SPG should also supervise Parliament security.
The latest technology changes for access control and checks can be shared with Parliament too.
The committee could induct specialists from outside and within the security set-up to monitor arrangements regularly.
Looking into the array of various forces guarding the Parliament, having its security set-up under the rank of a Director General for better coordination and with full responsibility and accountability on him would be ideal.
Finally, MPs themselves should offer their complete cooperation with the enhanced security arrangements in place.
COMMENTS