NEW DELHI: Security in and around Parliament House is being supplemented in view of the threat from the Khalistan Liberation Tigers Force, a Punjab militant outfit which has claimed responsibility for last week’s bomb explosion in Connaught Place.
The militant organization has said that its next target will be Parliament House. While the intelligence agencies are still trying to verify the claim of the relatively unknown outfit, security officials said they are not willing to take any chances, Senior intelligence and security officials met to review security arrangements around Parliament}, especially because the session begins on November 27, “We have to focus on Parliament House as it is one place where all the country’s VIPs gather and most of them are already on the hit lists of militant organizations,” a senior Intelligence Bureau official said.
Two years ago, because of increased threat perception, security around the House was upgraded and sophisticated monitoring equipment procured specifically for his purpose. Emphasis is now on ensuring that there are no violations of security norms. Sources said particular attention was being paid to the security of ferry vehicles, used to carry VIPs from the Outer gate to the House. These vehicles are normally sanitized and kept under close watch at all times.
“Particular attention was being paid to these vehicles because there have been some allegations in the recent past that some officers were using these vehicles for private purposes, apparently taking advantage of the recess,” a senior officer said. Senior security officers have recommended installation of powerful cameras to monitor the movement on approach roads, the present equipment, according to officials, have a range of only five kilometers.
Sources said MPs were also being requested to cooperate with the security staff, for the benefit of all Regular coordination between various 1nIelligence agencies and security Outfits has also been recommended for the period when the House is in session.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 1, 1995
