India’s parliament witnessed chaotic scenes after at least two men intruded into the chamber, shouting slogans and spraying coloured gas.
The security breach occurred on the 22nd anniversary of a deadly militant attack on India’s parliament. According to reports two men jumped into the well of the house from the visitors’ gallery. Their motive is not clear.
The incident occurred while lawmakers were in session in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament. Both houses were suspended for a short period before the session resumed.
“We are investigating the matter and have asked Delhi Police to join the inquiry,” Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said. He added that according to the preliminary investigation, the smoke sprayed in the house appeared to be “harmless”.
Two other people – a man and a woman – have also been detained for protesting outside the parliament by setting off canisters of coloured gas. They were pictured being led away by police.
“Two people jumped from the public gallery and there was smoke. There was chaos all around. Both of them were overpowered by security officials,” lawmaker Danish Ali told reporters outside parliament.
So far, five accused have been arrested in this case and one is still on the run. The Special Cell is interrogating the arrested accused and connecting the dots of the case. It has emerged in the investigation that a total of 6 individuals were involved in the conspiracy, each taking different responsibilities to spread terror.
One of the key accused Lalit Mohan Jha has been arrested by Delhi Police after couple of days. Lalit Jha had been missing since the incident. He is from Bihar but was working as a teacher in Kolkata, the Police said. He turned himself in at a Police station at Kartavya Path near Parliament.
