Patna: The Bihar Government has withdrawn the security cover extended to Railway Minister and RJD president Lalu Prasad due to him as the state's former Chief Minister.

An order to withdraw the security cover was issued by I G (Security) R K Singh on Thursday, sources in the Special Branch told reporters today. 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Branch, Bihar Military Police and Patna district police and six vehicles, including a bullet-proof car, have been withdrawn.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 told reporters pleading anonymity.

Lalu, however, will continue to enjoy Z-plus category security that includes NSG commandos and personnel of the CRP due to threat perception to him from Naxalites and Ranvir Sena, a private militia of upper caste land owners. The security by the state was in addition to that.

There is no move at present to withdraw security to his wife and leader of opposition in the Bihar Assembly Rabri Devi who too enjoys a security cover under the act as former chief minister, the sources say.

Source : PTI