New Delhi: From Monday, the security of Parliament will be completely handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) after over 1,400 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel are withdrawn and its over 3,300 personnel will take over counter-terrorism and other security duties.

Official sources said the CRPF's Parliament Duty Group (PDG) on Friday withdrew its entire administrative and operational staff (vehicles, weapons and commandos) from the complex and its commander, a DIG-rank officer, handed over all security responsibilities to CISF.

A total of 3,317 CISF personnel are involved in security

A senior official said that a total of 3,317 CISF personnel are being included to protect the old and new Parliament House and other buildings located in this complex. He said that after the security lapse incident on December 13 last year, the government had asked CISF to take over the security from CRPF. On December 13, 2023, during the Zero Hour, two people jumped into the Lok Sabha from the visitors' gallery. They released yellow smoke from a can and raised slogans.

Workers have been practicing for 10 days to get familiar with the premises

With this, a senior CISF official said that CRPF PDG, Delhi Police (about 150 personnel) and Parliament Security Staff (PSS), which were jointly guarding the Parliament till now, have been removed. He said that CISF personnel have been practicing for the last 10 days to get familiar with the premises. Male and female personnel of the force managing the reception area have been given a new uniform of light blue full sleeve shirt and brown pants in addition to safari suits.

This training was given to CISF personnel

Before being sent on Parliament duty, CISF personnel have been given training on baggage checking, personal frisking, explosive detection and handling, anti-terrorist rapid response, sharp shooting and communication and etiquette. Sources said these personnel also recently trained with 'Black Cat' commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG).

Expected to be merged into VIP security wing

The PDG unit is expected to be merged with the six-battalion VIP security wing of the CRPF, while the PSS personnel may be given new tasks like security and protocol of other central government establishments, the official said. Some PSS personnel may be hired as marshals to manage the lobby of the House, but a final decision on this is yet to be taken.

CRPF is not responsible for security lapse

The CRPF officer said that they were not responsible for the security lapse that took place in 2023. He said, "The PDG personnel were saddened to think that despite giving their best, they had to leave this responsibility."