Bhagwant Mann video: MHA to suggest enhanced security for Parliament complex

New Delhi, Jul 22: In the wake of a row over shooting of a video of the high-security Parliament House by AAP MP Bhagwant Mann, the Home Ministry is likely to suggest upgrading the electronic security system for vehicles and individuals, including parliamentarians.

Concerned over Mann shooting the controversial video, which allegedly exposed the security apparatus in the complex, the Home Ministry is likely to suggest upgrading of Under Vehicle Surveillance System (UVSS) and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags in the Parliament complex.

The UVSS delivers the full picture of a vehicle's entire width and length and the RFID identifies and tracks tags attached to objects and individuals.

"There is a need for complete overall of the security system in the Parliament complex on a priority basis," a senior Home Ministry official said.

There is a feeling in the security establishment that the AAP MP allegedly exposed the security apparatus set up right from the Vijay Chowk, opposite Parliament, till the main gate of the building.

Mann had showed in the video how many layers of security a car with MP tag passes through from Vijay Chowk to the main entrance of the building. The official pointed out that the terrorists, who attacked the Parliament on December 13, 2001, could not enter the main building as they did not find out the way.

"Mann's video a gives clear view of the way till the main entrance," the official said.

In the video, the positions of Parliament security men, Quick Reaction Teams, UVSS and how long it takes a vehicle to reach the destination etc., are clearly shown, the official said.

Two years ago, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had set up a committee headed by former Union Home Secretary and MP from Bihar R K Singh to look into the security of Parliament complex.

The committee had Satyapal Singh, MP from Uttar Pradesh and formerly Mumbai Police Commissioner, and Harish Chandra Meena, MP from Rajasthan and formerly the state's DGP, as its member.

In its report, the committee had found gaps in the system put in place for the protection of the sensitive complex, with nearly 100 of the 450 CCTV cameras not functioning, besides other lacunae.

The report, submitted to Mahajan with a copy marked to the Home Ministry, had suggested enhanced security at on 12 gates in the Parliament complex.

PTI