Cops plan second safe hide-out inside Parliament

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the attack on Parliament, the Delhi Police along with other security agencies are carrying out a joint security review of the Sansad Bhawan.

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the attack on Parliament, the Delhi Police along with other security agencies are carrying out a joint security review of the Sansad Bhawan.

HT Image

The main objective of the review is to provide a safe passage to members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and senior officers from Parliament to Indira Gandhi International airport in case of a terrorist attack.

"Our main aim is to help MPs and other dignitaries find a secure way out of Sansad Bhawan and into a safe hideout. Currently, there is one safe hideout inside Parliament but we are planning another one," said a senior police officer who didn't want to be named.

"We are also finalising a route from which VIPs can be taken to the airport in case of an attack. We want to fly them out of Delhi as soon as we can in such an eventuality," he added.

Sources said this was being done to avoid a hostage-like situation. After the 2001 attack, bollards and tyre-killers were placed at various gates of Parliament to stop a forced entry.

A combined team of the Delhi Police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Reserve Police Force and Parliament Security Service staff are responsible for the security of Parliament complex, its members and VVIPs who visit Parliament.

These are the agencies that are part of security review along with the Intelligence Bureau and the special cell of the Delhi Police, which are also contributing.

"Suggestions have been taken from everyone and a contingency plan has been prepared," he added.

"Parliament is already a secure complex with the latest security gadgets. But there is always scope for improvement. With the 10th anniversary of the attack around the corner we have information that terrorists might target Parliament again," the officer further said.

On December 13, 2001, five terrorists entered the Parliament House and opened fire. Five policemen, a parliament security guard, and a gardener were killed and 18 others faced injuries in the attack. Terrorists were overpowered and killed but the incident raised questions on the safety of the building.