In a major security breach on the 22nd anniversary of a deadly attack on India’s parliament, a man jumped into the lawmakers’ area of the lower house. The incident occurred in the new, high-security parliament building inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May.
- TV channels captured the intruder wearing a black jacket jumping from the visitors’ area into the lawmakers’ seating area, and climbing over tables.
- Smoke cans hidden in the intruder’s shoes were reportedly released, causing smoke in the chambers.
- Lawmakers evacuated the chambers, and the intruder, who shouted unclear slogans, was later taken away by police.
- Speaker Om Birla assured members that the incident would be investigated, and a report would be presented to the house.
- The lower house resumed proceedings about an hour later, and investigations revealed that the smoke released was “ordinary smoke, just to cause sensation.”
This security lapse raises concerns about the safety of parliamentary spaces, and lawmakers called for a thorough inquiry to address the flaws in the security system. The incident comes on the anniversary of a 2001 attack on the old parliament building in the same complex, attributed to Pakistan-based militants.
