After UP alarm, quick response teams to bolster security during Bihar house session

”Nobody will be allowed on the campus without a valid pass and everyone will be thoroughly frisked”, said Vidhan Sabha speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary.

Security in the bicameral Bihar legislature during the forthcoming monsoon session starting July 28 is being suitably enhanced, following the stunning discovery of a suspected ‘powder explosive’ in the house of the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

The Bihar assembly building in Patna. (File photo)

”Nobody will be allowed on the campus without a valid pass and everyone will be thoroughly frisked”, said Vidhan Sabha speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, while appealing to the legislators to cooperate fully in maintaining proper security.

“I am confident all will cooperate as security is being tightened for their own well being”, said Choudhary.

An official said security in the assembly at the time of session was three-layered. “The first one is at the main entrance, second layer at the inside gate and the third one at the entrance of the assembly building. Before the start of the session, sniffer dogs are pressed into service. Inside the assembly, marshals take charge”, he explained.

The speaker said that security would be bolstered by thorough frisking of anyone going in with baggage or packets. Unauthorised persons, even if accompanying legislators, will not be allowed.

On Wednesday, there will be a meeting to factor in all aspects.of security. “Though security is generally enhanced during the session, this time we will discuss extra measures that may be taken in the wake of the UP assembly alarm, even if it was an isolated case,” said DGP PK Thakur.

Thakur said that anything related to security of the members of the state legislature during the session would get top priority. “We will look into all the aspects and suggest what else could be done to improve the security set up further,” he added.

According to sources, quick response teams (QRTs) may also be placed at strategic places. Besides, there will be security checks at all the other entry points to the assembly premises. Additional body scanner machines and hand-held devices may be used for thorough checks.

Earlier this month, there was furore in UP following the recovery of ‘white explosive powder’ from inside the assembly premises. Later, while appealing to legislators for cooperation, UP CM Yogi Adityanath had announced the government decision to ban even mobiles inside the hall.

Sources said that the Speaker would take a call on further security measures at Wednesday’s meeting with top police officials.