Parliament security breach: New protocols, security review soon

New protocols and overall review of the Lok Sabha security will be undertaken following Wednesday's security breach. The Lok Sabha secretary general has written a letter to the Union home ministry on this, according to government insiders.

Some of the suggestions made by floor leaders to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who called a meeting hours after the security breach, include introduction of full-body scanners, glass wall in front of visitor's galleries and security personnel in galleries as was the practice in the old building. Birla assured that all measures would be taken to ensure safety and security of MPs.

All visitor passes for Parliament have been suspended and no new passes will be issued. The entry of PAs of MPs and ex-MPs too will be restricted. After the incident, Delhi Police Commissioner and several top officials visited Parliament premises.

Many leaders suggested urgent recruitment of security staff for the Lok Sabha, which is under strain due to staff crunch. Out of the total 301 posts, 176 are vacant. No new vacancies have been created for the new building either. The issue was raised at the all-party meeting.