NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday decided to enhance security at the Parliament building complex by entrusting it to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) following the recent breach.
Under this arrangement, the CISF will implement stringent security measures, similar to airport protocols, involving body frisking using handheld detectors, X-ray scans of belongings, and even scanning of shoes, heavy jackets, and belts.
Previously, the Delhi Police handled the frisking of visitors to the Parliament complex.
This decision comes in response to a significant security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, where individuals entered the Lok Sabha chamber, released yellow smoke, and shouted slogans. The Union home ministry directed a survey of the Parliament building complex for a comprehensive deployment of CISF security and fire personnel.
Members of the Parliament watch and ward security will undergo training at a CISF center for human and goods frisking.
The survey, conducted by experts from the CISF’s government building security unit, will determine the number of CISF personnel needed and define the roles of each security agency involved in Parliament security.
Both the new and old Parliament complexes, along with their associated buildings, will now be under the comprehensive security coverage of the CISF, incorporating elements from the Parliament Security Service (PSS), Delhi Police, and the Parliament Duty Group (PDG) of the CRPF.
In response to the recent security breach, a committee chaired by CRPF director general Anish Dayal Singh is examining overall security issues at the Parliament complex and will make recommendations for improvement to the Union home ministry.
The CISF GBS was established after the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament and is responsible for securing central government buildings in the national capital. The force’s charter includes maintaining a high level of security, conducting anti-sabotage checks, and ensuring contingency response. Currently, the CISF guards various central government ministry buildings, nuclear and aerospace installations, civil airports, and the Delhi Metro.
– With inputs from agencies
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