The state governments have been earnestly requested to submit nominations of eligible and willing IPS officers by December 20 through email, with an additional requirement to provide information regarding their vigilance status
After the alarming security breach at Parliament, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has taken swift action by urging all chief secretaries of state governments to submit nominations for the vacant post of Joint Secretary (Security) in the Lok Sabha Secretariat. This crucial position has remained unfilled for the past 48 days, prompting the MHA to address the issue promptly.
In a letter dated December 14, Under Secretary Sanjeev Kumar reached out to chief secretaries across states, excluding Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories. The letter highlighted the ongoing process to appoint a Joint Secretary (Security) on a deputation basis from officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS) empanelled to hold Inspector General (IG) level posts at the Centre.
The state governments have been earnestly requested to submit nominations of eligible and willing IPS officers by December 20 through email, with an additional requirement to provide information regarding their vigilance status. The urgency stems from the vacancy created when Raghubir Lal, a 1997-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, was transferred to his home state as Additional DG in early November. Since then, a director-level officer has been temporarily shouldering the responsibilities of the Joint Secretary (Security) post.
The security breach on December 13, where individuals from Lucknow and Mysuru infiltrated the Lok Sabha chamber, shouting slogans and releasing yellow smoke canisters, prompted immediate concern. In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs swiftly initiated an inquiry into the incident, emphasising the gravity of the breach and the need for a thorough investigation.
The call for nominations underscores the MHA’s commitment to reinforcing security measures in Parliament and ensuring the timely appointment of a qualified professional to the crucial role of Joint Secretary (Security) in the Lok Sabha Secretariat.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a comprehensive investigation into last week’s significant security breach in parliament, pushing back against opposition parties’ calls for a debate on the incident. In his initial remarks on the breach, Modi emphasised the seriousness of the situation, stating, “What happened is very serious. There is no need to debate this; there should be a detailed investigation into this.”said Modi as his first comment on the breach. Following the incident where an individual jumped into the lower house chamber, shouted slogans, and released a smoke canister, six people were arrested, and terrorism charges were filed against four of them.
The episode occurred on the 22nd anniversary of a past attack on the parliament complex. Lawmakers revealed that the individuals involved chanted slogans, including “dictatorship won’t be accepted.” Modi also called for a detailed investigation into last week’s major security breach at the Parliament.
Fourteen lawmakers have faced suspension for disrupting proceedings by seeking a discussion on the incident. A security review has been announced by the speaker of the lower house of parliament, and the government has accused opposition parties of attempting to politicise the incident.
Modi emphasised that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is addressing the incident with utmost seriousness.
“Investigative agencies are probing rigorously. It is important to know who all are behind this and what plans they have. We should also seek solutions with a single mind. Everyone should refrain from debate, controversy, or resistance on such matters,” Modi said.
Two men – Sagar Sharma and Manoranjan D – had jumped into the Lok Sabha chamber from the public gallery during Zero Hour, released yellow smoke from canisters and shouted slogans, before being overpowered by the MPs.
Around the same time, two others — Amol Shinde and Neelam Devi – released coloured smoke from canisters while shouting “tanashahi nahi chalegi” outside the Parliament premises. Lalit Jha, the fifth accused, allegedly circulated videos of the protest outside the complex on social media.
