Normalcy being restored at Parliament following security alert
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-16 16:22

Situation is getting back to normal at the Indian Parliament, both houses of which were adjourned following a security threat on Friday.

The Parliament is expected to resume work by 3 p.m. after lunch and the Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil told reportes that there was no cause for worry.

The security forces have not found any suspicious material so far, and second round of search is on.

It is reported that an e-mail from American Embassy had alerted the Indian Intelligence Bureau on some unidentified baggage lying in the Parliament premises. It was stated that it could trigger off a bomb.

The Indian Prime Minister, Vice-President and all Members of Parliament were moved out. Some MPs were housed in the library building of the Parliament and the Prime Minister was shifted to his South Block office.

Earlier, at 11:45 a.m., security forces immediately got on their toes after they received the threat alert.

Bomb disposal squads and special protection group officials were pressed into service. Sniffer dogs were used to place the baggage.

Entire area around the Parliament has been sealed. Only senior government officials and policemen were allowed at the parliament.

Speaking to New Delhi Television (NDTV) India, American Embassy Press secretary David said that they would cooperate fully with the Indian government on issues related to government security. However, he refused to discuss the issue in detail in public.

The Indian parliament had suffered an attack on December 13, 2001, and the Indian officials did not want to take any chances this time.