Angry Nitish Kumar withdraws Lalu’s security cover

Central agencies say the railway minister faces threat from Naxalites and Ranvir Sena

PATNA: The Bihar government has withdrawn the security cover extended to Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad due to him as the state’s former chief minister.

An order to withdraw the security cover was issued by IG (Security) RK Singh on Thursday, sources in the Special Branch told DNA on Saturday. “Ever since Lalu started attacking Nitish on the deteriorating law and order situation in Bihar, Nitish has looked at hitting back at Lalu,.” Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, RJD Member of Parliament and close associate of Lalu, told DNA.

Nearly 35 personnel drawn from the Special Branch, Bihar Military Police and Patna district police and six vehicles, including a bullet-proof car, have been withdrawn. The Bihar Special Security Group Act was passed during the RJD rule in 2000 under which security was to be provided to chief minister, members of his immediate family, including wife and children and former chief ministers for at least five years from the day they demitted office.

The security cover could be extended by the government through fresh notifications. “The extended term lapsed in September, this year and the government decided against granting any fresh extension,” a senior special branch official said.

Lalu, however, will continue to enjoy Z-plus category security that includes NSG commandos and personnel of the CRPF due to threat perception to him from Naxalites and Ranvir Sena.