The Hindu : Front Page : Bomb threat disrupts Parliament

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 17, 2005

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Bomb threat disrupts Parliament

Special Correspondent

E-mail threatening attacks came from browsing centres in Tamil Nadu

WAR AND PEACE: A security personnel taking position beside the Gandhi statue after a bomb hoax at Parliament House in New Delhi on Friday. -- PHOTO: V. SUDERSHAN

NEW DELHI: A bomb threat through e-mail on Friday led to the abrupt adjournment of both Houses of Parliament and quick evacuation of the members and others. Work remained suspended for about three hours, and the Houses reassembled after an "all-clear" signal was given.

The e-mail, received by the American Consulate in Chennai from browsing centres in south Tamil Nadu, threatened to blow up Parliament and American consulates in the country. On receiving the message, purportedly from a supporter of Osama bin Laden, the consulate informed the Chennai police, who alerted authorities in Delhi.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the Lok Sabha at 11.52 a.m. during question hour when he was informed of the threat; he did not give any reason for his action. The Rajya Sabha followed suit.

With Parliament having observed the fourth anniversary of the December 13 on it attack this week, Friday's sudden dispersal led to some confusion. Even as the news spread, calm was restored. Many MPs could be seen standing in the driveways watching security personnel go about their work while others crossed over to the Library Building.

When the Lok Sabha resumed, Mr. Chatterjee said the sudden adjournment was necessitated by the threat perception, but asserted "nothing can cow us down." There was no breach in security, nor was any suspicious article found.

Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee apologised for the disruption, and assured the members that efforts would be made to make up for the lost time.

Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani suggested that a drill be put in place for such emergencies. Home Minister Shivraj Patil said this could be done with the permission of the presiding officers.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was in his Parliament office, was escorted out. The Special Protection Group whisked away Rahul Gandhi, who was present in the Lok Sabha. All Ministers, MPs and staff were asked to leave immediately and all roads leading to Parliament House and nearby government buildings sealed. Sniffer dogs and bomb detection squads swept every nook and corner of the multi-storey building.

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat remained in the House till 12.30 p.m. and left his chamber only to facilitate security checks. Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh also remained in his office throughout.

As he did in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Patil explained in the Rajya Sabha the circumstances in which Parliament was adjourned.

The Special Cell of the Delhi police registered a case in connection with the bomb threat.

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