Five Congress MPs Suspended As Lok Sabha Sees Ruckus Over Security Lapse Incident

Lok Sabha proceedings were interupted as the Opposition, led by Congress, created a ruckus and protested over the security lapse on Wednesday.

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed a resolution suspending five Congress MPs after being named by Speaker Om Birla for disrupting House proceedings over the security breach incident, PTI reported. Congress MPs -- TN Prathapan, Hibi Eden, S Jothimani, Ramya Haridas and Dean Kuriakose -- have been suspended for the remainder of the Parliament Winter session, which ends on December 22.

Lok Sabha proceedings were interupted on Thursday as the Opposition, led by Congress, created a ruckus and protested over the security lapse in which two persons -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors' gallery and released gas from canisters.

The duo were overpowered by the MPs and handed over to security personnel. On the other hand, two other persons -- Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi -- were caught while protesting and releasing coloured smoke on a road outside Parliament.

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Opposition members have demanded a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah on the security breach that coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack.

A motion for the suspension of the MPs was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi amid vociferous protests and sloganeering by the Opposition members.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the steps taken in the wake of the security lapse, Joshi said Speaker Om Birla had written to the Home Ministry for a high-level investigation while asking the Opposition to not "politicise" the issue.

"Parliament House security is under purview of the Speaker. Letter has been already written to Home Secretary for high-level inquiry," Joshi said. "These kinds of unfortunate incidents are happening since beginning -- shouting slogans, throwing papers and jumping from gallery," he further said.

Eight security personnel have already been suspended for the security lapse. A case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act has also been registered.

Police said the four arrested were part of a group of six people who planned the incident. Amol, who was caught from outside Parliament, said they were upset with issues like the farmers' protest, Manipur violence and unemployment and wanted to bring them in focus through their act.