No security lapse during Parl scuffle: CISF

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NEW DELHI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Monday said there was “no lapse” on its part when asked about the scuffle that took place among MPs in Parliament complex during the recently concluded winter session and added it would choose to “keep quiet” when allegations were levelled by lawmakers.

The CISF is tasked with guarding the Parliament House Complex. “There was no lapse (on part of the force)… by lapse if you mean some weapons were allowed inside, then I can tell you that no weapon was allowed…,” CISF Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Shrikant Kishore said during a press conference here.

He said the force would choose to “keep quiet when the honourable members (MPs) make allegations”. The officer was asked about the counter-allegations made by the parliamentarians on who pushed whom. He added the CISF was not conducting any inquiry into the incident that took place at the Makar Dwar of the Parliament House Complex on December 19.

The Delhi Police had filed an FIR against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi following BJP’s complaint against him. Kishore said MPs who entered Parliament “are not screened” (frisked) as per protocol.

Asked about complaints against the force since it took charge of Parliament security in June this year, the officer said the MPs, employees working in the complex and visitors were “very satisfied and happy” with their work.

“We have trained our personnel for this duty (Parliament security) properly… Everyone, including the MPs, are contributing to further improving the security of the complex. The security of Parliament is paramount,” he said.

Kishore said the security department of Parliament would be competent to answer questions related to security, including recovery of cash from a seat in the House during the last session.

Bharatiya Janata Party MPs Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput had got injured during the scuffle between the Opposition and ruling BJP MPs on the premises of Parliament.