The Bihar government has decided to withdraw the Z-plus security cover provided to Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and former Chief Minister Rabri Devi. This decision was confirmed by official sources on Thursday. The Y-category security cover assigned to Tej Pratap, who leads the Janshakti Janta Dal (JJD) and is the elder son of Lalu Prasad, has also been revoked.
Details of the Security Withdrawal
The state government's move comes amid a broader reassessment of security arrangements for political figures in Bihar. According to officials, the decision was based on a review of threat perceptions and resource allocation. Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi had been enjoying Z-plus security, which is the highest level of protection in the state, for several years. Tej Pratap's Y-category security, which provides a lower level of protection, has also been withdrawn with immediate effect.
Security sources indicated that the withdrawal was not influenced by any specific incident but rather by a routine evaluation of security requirements. The government has not issued a detailed statement explaining the rationale behind the decision. However, it is expected that the security personnel previously deployed for these leaders will be redeployed to other duties.
Reactions and Implications
The RJD has expressed strong opposition to the government's decision. Party spokesperson said that the withdrawal of security is politically motivated and could endanger the lives of the leaders. They have called for an immediate restoration of the security cover, citing potential threats from various quarters.
Political analysts view this development as a significant move by the Bihar government, which is led by the Janata Dal (United) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The decision could further strain relations between the ruling coalition and the opposition RJD. Observers note that security withdrawals for prominent political figures are rare and often generate controversy.
Lalu Prasad Yadav, a former Chief Minister and Union Minister, has faced several legal cases in recent years. Rabri Devi, also a former Chief Minister, has maintained a relatively low profile. Tej Pratap has been active in state politics, leading his own party after a split from the RJD.
The Bihar Police will now reassess the security needs of these individuals based on updated threat assessments. It remains unclear whether the leaders will seek legal recourse to challenge the government's decision.
