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Parliament breach: ‘Shock and awe’ in security setup, ‘full-proof’ case on intruders

Suspected mastermind still absconding, last seen in Neemrana

Amol Shinde, one of the two persons arrested for protesting outside the Parliament House during the Winter session, after being produced at the Patiala House Court, in New Delhi | PTI

Amid ongoing tough interrogation of the four arrested for Wednesday’s Parliament ‘incidents’ and the main mastermind still absconding, the police are preparing a ‘full-proof’ case against those arrested so as to ensure that no legal leeway is available even though a clear motive is yet to be ascertained.

According to sources familiar with the development, there was still considerable ‘shock and awe’ in the security establishment on the ease in which the high-security Parliament was intruded upon with smoke canisters and also the meticulous manner in which the entire operation was planned.

“While a proper investigation into the massive security lapse has already been ordered, the investigation will examine if there is a larger hand behind the acts and the meticulous planning that could penetrate four visible and two invisible layers of security,” a source told THE WEEK.

A slew of agencies and organisations are involved in setting up the security grid for Parliament which includes Delhi Police, CRPF, Intelligence Bureau and others. At least nine lower and middle-rung security personnel have been suspended.

The charges on the four—Sagar Sharma (26), Manoranjan D. (34), Amol Shinde (25) and Neelam Devi (37)—include severe anti-terror charges under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act besides charges of criminal conspiracy, trespass, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions and assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duties under provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, the suspected main hander—Lalit Jha—is still absconding and is reported to have been last seen in Neemrana in Rajasthan. Based in Kolkata, Jha is believed to be a teacher by profession.

Another accused—Vicky Sharma—is in detention. It was in Sharma’s Gurugram residence that all the four arrested had gathered on Sunday (December 10) on Jha’s instruction.

The entire group professes to be followers of the ideals of revolutionary Shaheed Bhagat Singh, who on April 8, 1929, along with Batukeshwar Dutt, had thrown smoke bombs in Parliament. The main aim then, in Singh’s own words, was “to make a loud voice to make the deaf hear”.

At about 1 pm on Wednesday, when the Zero Hour was in progress in the Lok Sabha, Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan leaped down from the visitors’ gallery into the floor of the House and exploded coloured smoke canisters, spreading shock and panic. Their parliamentary pass had been signed by BJP MP from Mysuru, Pratap Simha.

At the same time, just outside the Parliament complex, Amol Shinde and Neelam, sprayed more coloured smoke.

The group were also shouting slogans—‘tanashahi nahi chalegi’ (dictatorship won’t be allowed), ‘Jai Bhim’ (Victory to Baba Bhim Rao Ambedkar) and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ (Victory to Mother India).

While the arrested may not have intended to cause physical harm to anyone, what is absolutely glaring is the security breach and bypassing of at least four layers of security by a group of untrained youth.

The security breach is extremely shocking in view of the fact that Wednesday was the 22nd anniversary of the December 13 Parliament attack by Pakistan-supported Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists that killed nine people.

Additionally, just a few days ago, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, US-based Sikh separatist and proponent of Khalistan, had released a video that threatened to “shake the very foundation of Parliament” on December 13. The video also had a picture of the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

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