In a massive security breach, 150 grams of plastic explosive was found under seat number 80 in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Friday, prompting the state government to handover the probe to National Investigation Agency (NIA). Speaker of Assembly Hriday Narain Dikshit announced several stringent measures to beef up security measures inside and outside the House.
A team of Bomb Disposal Squad of lucknow Police was on routine check inside Vidhan Sabha in the morning of July 12 when they found the substance. The powder weighing about 150 gms was found spirnkled at seat No 80 and was not packed in any sachet or pouch. The Nitrogen-based explosive is harmless until triggered by a detonator. The FSl lab identified it as PETN which can not be detected by metal detector and hence could have been smuggled in.
Terming the incident as a ‘terror act’, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth said that the person behind the conspiracy should be identified and netted immediately. He moved a proposal in the House demanding for strict security inside and outside the House and a threadbare NIA probe.
later, the Speaker made an announcement in this regard amid thumping of desks by Opposition members. The Speaker also appealed to all members to co-operate with the security system.
Dikshit also said that from now on, security of the House — inside and outside — would be manned by policemen and body scanners would be placed at all entry points. Frisking of MlAs would also be carried out along with others entering the Assembly premises.
“All entry passes of unknown persons would be cancelled while vehicles passes would be given only to the legislators. All employees would be subjected to police verification while vehicles of MlAs would be parked at lok Bhavan,” he said.
Immediately after the announcement, the security of Vidhan Bhawan was stepped up and Quick Response Teams (QRT) from the PAC were deployed at the gates.
In his brief address inside the House, Yogi said that a small packet weighing about 150 gms was by security personnel during a routine check on a chair in the third row behind that of leader of Opposition on July 12.
“Forensic Science laboratory confirmed that it was a powerful plastic explosive known as PETN and that 500 grams of it could blow off the entire building. The big question is who carried the explosive to an area accessible only to law makers, staff and watch and ward staff. It is a big conspiracy and needs to be exposed,” Yogi said
The CM said that the incident was a big threat to all 403 members of the House. “This is the temple of democracy where members talk about security of people and now we see even our lives are not secured,” he said.
Yogi appealed to the members not to carry bags and mobiles and allow themselves to be frisked. “‘When no one has objection on frisking at airports, why should one object to frisking while entering the House,” Yogi asked.
leader of the Opposition Ram Govind Choudhury too supported the beefing up of security measures announced by the Speaker and the Chief Minister.
First BOX
While addressing members, Chief Minister Adityanath spoke at length about possible terror link and the recovery of explosive PETN from the Assembly. He suggested six points that whould be puit in place to ensure proper security.
1. Members carry mobile phones inside the House. Why do they need it IJ They should either switch it off or put it in a silent mode.
2. No member should be allowed to carry bags inside the House. They should carry a note pad with points penned down for discussion.
3. Police verification of Assembly staff should be done.
4. There was no co-ordination in the three layers of security starting from the entry into Vidhan Bhawan to Vidhan Sabha. Accountability should be fixed.
5. Quick Response Teams of PAC whould be set up to meet any eventuality.
6. Members should not feel upset if security personnel ask for frisking. We allow it in airport. If we do not mind it there, why should be object to it in Vidhan sabha.
Second BOX:
Seat number 80, under which PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) was found, is allotted to senior Samajwadi Party and former minister Manoj Pandey
“I am told that explosive was under my chair. I sit three rows behind leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary. I did not seen any packet while leaving the House on July 11 after the budget presentation. This is a serious security breach and the Government should take step,” he told this reporter over telephone when querried about the explosive.
“I shudder to think what would have happened if the explosive was attached with a detonator,” he said.