Lalu violating security norms: Nitish

PATNA: Defending his government's recent decision to withdraw additional security to Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday charged him with violating security norms.
    
"The state government has viewed seriously the violation of security norms by the Railway Minister and would write to the Union Home Ministry soon. He (Lalu) never cares to inform the administration about his movement and itinerary in advance so that proper security cover can be provided to him," Kumar said on the sidelines of his 'Janata Durbar.'
    
Kumar said he had been informed that Lalu Prasad, who enjoyed Z plus security cover provided by the Centre, never allowed elite National Security Guard (NSG) personnel to sit in his vehicle in violation of security guidelines and the state government would inform the home ministry about it.
    
Trying to put at rest the controversy over withdrawal of security cover provided by the state government to Lalu Prasad, Kumar said the Bihar Special Security Group Act, passed during RJD rule in 2000, provided security by the state government to former chief ministers for at least five years from the day they demitted office.
    
In the case of Lalu Prasad, this was extended by the previous government for five years in 2002 and the period ended on September 25 and hence the security cover provided to him by the state was withdrawn, Kumar said.