After lapse, CISF set to secure Parliament

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has begun conducting a security survey of the Parliament premises, officials said on Thursday, calling it the first step before the agency takes charge of security, days after a worrying breach when two men reached the Well of Lok Sabha and set off smoke canisters.

- Prawesh Lama

While no formal handover of security has been announced or communicated, a person aware of the matter said such a move is expected and once formalised, the agency will put in place the sort of security protocols in force at the country's airports, which too it guards.

"A security survey has been ordered by the headquarters. Separately, the fire unit of the CISF will also be part of the security survey. This is the first step before the paramilitary force takes over the security. We are yet to be told if the home ministry or the Speaker's office has issued any such order for the force to take over security," said an officer, who asked not to be named.

On Thursday afternoon, a team of CISF officers arrived at Parliament to start the survey.

At present, the security of the Parliament complex is handled by the in-house, Parliamentary Security Service (PSS), the Delhi Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The three have specific duties, with the first agency guarding the innermost layer.