A security breach that must lead to sweeping changes.

General Studies Paper – 3

Context: On December 13, 2023, two men breached security in India’s Lok Sabha, exposing lapses despite enhanced measures since 2001.

The incident highlights the need for advanced technology. Leadership vacancies, political debates, and pass issuance issues compound the problem.

Urgent calls for a high-level inquiry and comprehensive security reforms are essential to protect democratic institutions.

BACKGROUD

• On December 13, 2023, two young men breached Lok Sabha, vocalizing slogans against dictatorship and releasing canisters emitting yellow smoke.

Security Measures in Parliament:

• Parliament underwent fortification after the 2001 terrorist attack, featuring spike barriers, bollards, drop gates, scanners, RFID devices, and anti-explosive checks.
• Central police forces, plainclothes personnel, and Delhi police are strategically placed in inner and outer precincts.

Security Breach Details:

• The breach unfolded across various security layers intended for personal screening.
• Door frame and handheld metal detectors were utilized but failed to detect plastic or rubber concealed in shoes, a vulnerability given that shoes are not routinely checked.

Importance of Technology:

• There’s an emphasis on advanced technology in security measures, referencing backscatter and millimeter wave scanners used abroad.
• Questioning whether the Ministry of Home Affairs advocated for technology upgrades.

Responsibility and Leadership Vacancies:

• The Joint Secretary, Security, post is vacant, as are the positions of chiefs of Central Reserve Police Force and Central Industrial Security Force.
• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief is entrusted with the inquiry, and the Ministry of Home Affairs manages Parliament’s security needs.

Political Fallout and Responsibility:

• Calls for responsibility regarding security and technology upgrades.
• Criticism of political debates on jurisdiction, urging acknowledgment of the access control failure.
• Urgency for a high-level inquiry and acknowledgment of the breach’s severity.

Youngsters’ Actions and National Security:

• The incident caused no harm but exposed security gaps.
• Recommendation for legal action due to unauthorized entry, even though the charge of terrorism may not stick.
• Emphasis on the breach’s gravity for national security.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Call for sweeping changes in the security set-up through out-of-the-box thinking.
• Suggestion to have the Secretary, Security, in the Cabinet Secretariat supervise Parliament security.
• Formation of a committee comprising MPsfrom various parties to regularly monitor security.

Conclusion:

• A reminder that security arrangements can be breached, necessitating constant monitoring and upgrades.

MPs are urged to cooperate with enhanced security measures to safeguard democratic institutions.