INDIAN police have filed terrorism charges against four people in connection with a security breach in parliament in which a man jumped into the chamber, shouted slogans and set off a smoke canister, a police officer said on Thursday (14).
The major security breach occurred on Wednesday (13), the 22nd anniversary of an attack on the parliament complex when more than a dozen people, including five gunmen, were killed.
On Thursday, opposition MPs shouted slogans demanding the home minister address the incident.
"All precautions possible will be taken in future," defence minister Rajnath Singh told parliament, which was adjourned for a few hours on Thursday amid opposition uproar.
A parliament spokesperson said eight security personnel have been suspended in connection with the breach. India's home ministry has launched an inquiry following a request from the parliament.
All units that manage parliament security have been called to a meeting on Thursday, a security official said on condition of anonymity.
Members of parliament told local media the man who jumped into the lower house chamber and an associate who tried to follow him had chanted slogans, including "dictatorship won't be accepted". Families of some of the four suspects told media they had expressed annoyance at not being able to find jobs for a long time.
They were charged under sections of India's anti-terror UAPA law that involve punishment for terrorist acts and conspiracies, the police officer said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the matter.
Om Birla, speaker of the lower house, said he would discuss with members further enhancement of security.
(Reuters)
Four booked for terror over Indian parliament security breach
Eight security personnel suspended, home ministry launches inquiry
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)