Parliament security breach was well-coordinated and meticulously planned, 5 held

In a major security breach on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, two persons -- Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D -- jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs.

New Delhi: The Parliament security breach on Wednesday was well-coordinated and meticulously planned by six people, five of whom have been nabbed, police sources said.

The sources added that all six accused knew each other for a few years and the plan was hatched a few months ago. Delhi police sources claimed the accused were in touch with each other over social media and had conducted a recce of the parliament house.

Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by the MPs and security staff.

Their two accomplices, Amol Shinde and Neelam, who opened a can to release a plume of smoke outside parliament were also arrested. Vishal, in whose house the accused stayed before reaching Parliament, has been detained from Gurugram while a hunt is on for their other accomplice Lalit. Those arrested are being interrogated by security agencies to ascertain the motive behind the breach.

Police officials said during interrogation, Amol told investigators they were upset with issues like the farmers' protest, the Manipur crisis and unemployment and that's why they carried out this act. "They had the same ideology and hence decided to give a message to the government. The security agencies are trying to ascertain if they were instructed by anyone or any organisation," an official said.

An official said Vishal Sharma earlier worked as a driver in an export company but of late he drove an autorickshaw. His neighbours claimed he was a drunkard and often quarreled with his wife. Police have also detained Vishal's wife and her possible role in the incident was being probed.

"All six accused wanted to enter Parliament but only two got passes," a source said, adding that Lalit made the video of Amol and Neelam releasing smoke from canisters outside the Parliament premises and uploaded it on Instagram. He also kept the mobile phones of Neelam, Amol, Sagar and Manoranjan, police said.

A police source said, "No mobile phones have been found on the accused and the police are looking for their phones."

A resident of Haryana's Jind, Neelam, who is in her late 30s, told police she was studying for competitive exams. Neelam has done MA, BEd, MEd, CTET, MPhil and cleared NET.

While being taken away by police personnel, Neelam told reporters, "The Indian government is subjecting us to oppression. When we raise our voices for our rights, we are beaten and thrown in jail. We are subjected to undue force. We do not belong to any organisation. We are students and we are unemployed."

"Our parents work as labourers, and farmers and some are small shopkeepers. An attempt is being made to suppress our voices. Dictatorship will not work," she said.

Amol, a resident of Maharasthra's Latur, is a graduate but unemployed. He worked as a helper of a plumber but later quit the job.

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora visited Parliament to take stock of the situation after the security breach. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the spot.

(With PTI inputs)