Investigations into the shocking security breaches at the Indian Parliament on Wednesday have revealed disturbing links between the various infiltrators. Four individuals – two who invaded the Lok Sabha chambers and two arrested outside – conspired together ahead of time, authorities say.
The outsiders detained while igniting smoke grenades near Parliament have been identified as 42-year-old Neelam from Haryana and 25-year-old Amol Shinde of Pune. According to sources, the quartet was connected beforehand and strategized the coordinated smoke stunt.
Alarmingly, Neelam and Shinde carried no ID or mobile phones when nabbed. They refused to disclose any organizational affiliation. The pair claimed to have arrived spontaneously, but investigators aren’t buying the story. A special interrogation team is being set up to uncover the plot and potential funding.
What is clear is that Neelam adheres to far-left political ideology and participated actively in the farmers’ protests. Out of work, she turned to social activism. Her father runs a sweet shop in their Jind village.
Shinde’s background is still being probed, but the fact that all four Parliament infiltrators chose the same modus operandi points to a thought-out plan. On the 20th anniversary of the terror attack on the same site, it represents a stark security wakeup call.
The smoke grenade ingredients remain unknown as yet. But the choreographed chants after deployment sent a message – dictatorship and limitations on activism will be fought through dramatic means.
#WATCH | Delhi: Two protestors, a man and a woman have been detained by Police in front of Transport Bhawan who were protesting with colour smoke. The incident took place outside the Parliament: Delhi Police pic.twitter.com/EZAdULMliz
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2023
As the special team digs deeper, more details on the motives and backers behind Wednesday’s shocking spectacle are expected to emerge. The visitor gallery at Parliament also stands suspended for now, as gaps that allowed such an orchestrated attack are plugged.
