HOUSE TARGET: Two among the five terrorists run towards the Parliament building

A chain, they say, is only as strong as its weakest link. And when Parliament House was attacked, its weakest link in the security rings-entry and access-snapped first. The car carrying the terrorists entered the gates of the ultra-high-security zone though neither the vehicle nor its occupants carried Parliament passes. But what they had in place were the trappings of privilege: a white Ambassador with a red, flashing light on its roof and what looked like a Home Ministry sticker.

A three-tier security system comprising 1,250 personnel-200 from the Delhi Police, 850 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 200 belonging to Parliament's own unarmed watch and ward (W&W) staff-guard the House. The Parliament Secretariat is in charge of issuing passes to MPs, house staff, journalists and visitors.

The first security ring has members of all the three forces posted at three iron gates-No. 1, 5 and 11. They are responsible for checking vehicle passes. But these searches are seldom carried out. Should a suicide bomber wants to rig a car with explosives bang in front of the main porch, he can do so effortlessly. The second ring comprises the W&W staff who are unarmed and plainclothes securitymen carrying small weapons. The W&W staff check visitors for arms and banned electronic gadgets like cell phones, cameras and taperecorders. Any armed security guard of an MP or minister remains outside. The final ring comprises W&W staff stationed at entrances to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Central Hall, the library and canteen. They carry out the final check for banned items.

Post-September 11, security arrangements improved only marginally. There are random checks of vehicles, but usually of those belonging to House staff and not of visitors. Ministers, MPs and VIPs are never frisked, and assorted hangers-on accompanying them are often waved through security with a word from the luminaries. Unless legislators and ministers themselves respect and obey the rules laid down for their protection, no security system in the world will be tight or efficient enough to shield them.

-Sharad Gupta