Parliament security breach serious, detailed probe on: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a detailed investigation is underway into the “very serious” breach of parliament’s security last week as he urged political parties to refrain from debate over the issue. 

“What happened is very serious,” Modi told Hindi daily Dainik Jagran in an interview. 

“There is no need to debate this, there should be a detailed investigation into this,” he said.

On 13 December, two men jumped inside the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery during Zero Hour, and released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans. They were overpowered by members of Parliament and later apprehended by Delhi Police.

Around the same time, two of their accomplices released colored smoke from canisters outside the Parliament complex and raised slogans.

Modi said probe agencies were carrying out detailed investigations to get to the root of the case. 

“Investigative agencies are probing rigorously. It is important to know who all are behind this and what plans they have. We should also seek solutions with a single mind. Everyone should refrain from debate, controversy, or resistance on such matters,” the prime minister said. 

The Delhi Police arrested six people—Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan D, Amol Shinde, Neelam Devi, Lalit Jha and Mahesh Kumawat—for their alleged involvement in the issue. All of them have been booked under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

While Sharma and Manoranjan entered the visitors’ gallery, Shinde and Devi were held after their demonstration outside the Parliament building. 

According to police, Jha recorded the act on his mobile phone outside the Parliament gate. Kumawat is accused of arranging the stay for all accused in Delhi. 

The accused told police that they were influenced by the ideology of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and wanted to send a message to the government through their act, the Press Trust of India reported. 

Police claimed Jha is the “mastermind” of the conspiracy.