Patna: Former Chief Minister Rabri Devi has withdrawn all security personnel stationed at her official residence, a day after the Bihar government reduced the security cover provided to members of RJD president Lalu Prasad’s family.
The move has left the area outside Rabri Devi’s residence unusually quiet and is being viewed as a protest against the state’s decision to withdraw the ‘Z+’ category security previously provided to both Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi.
RJD chief spokesperson Shakti Singh Yadav confirmed that Rabri Devi had decided to relinquish the security arrangements offered by the state following the revision of her security status.
Security Review Leads To Changes
According to the Home Department, the revised security arrangements were approved following recommendations made during a meeting of the State Security Committee held on June 4.
Subsequently, the Special Branch issued instructions to implement the new security protocols for several members of the RJD chief’s family.
Under the revised arrangements, the ‘Z+’ category security cover previously extended to Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi has been withdrawn.
However, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav will continue to receive ‘Y+’ category security, including an escort vehicle, with no change to his existing cover.
Tej Pratap Yadav’s security has been reduced, and he will now be provided with a single bodyguard.
New Security Arrangements
Despite the withdrawal of the higher-level security classification, the government has allocated alternative security arrangements for both Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi.
According to official orders, Rabri Devi will be provided with a ‘2-8’ house guard detail from the Bihar Special Armed Police, three female plainclothes bodyguards, three uniformed bodyguards from the Patna district police force, a pilot vehicle, a bulletproof vehicle and an escort vehicle from the Headquarters Quick Response Team.
Lalu Prasad has been allotted a similar ‘2-8’ house guard detail from the Bihar Special Armed Police, along with two bodyguards from the Patna district police force and a pilot vehicle accompanied by a bulletproof vehicle from the Quick Response Team.
The revised security plan also provides three bodyguards to Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti in accordance with prescribed norms. Rajshree Yadav has been allotted a female bodyguard from the Patna district police force.
Political Undertones
The development comes at a politically sensitive time in Bihar, with the decision drawing criticism from RJD leaders.
While the state government has maintained that the revisions were made on the basis of a routine security review conducted by the State Security Committee, opposition leaders have questioned the timing of the move.
Rabri Devi’s decision to send back security personnel appears intended to underscore the party’s dissatisfaction with the government’s action.
Lalu Prasad Seen In Singapore
Amid the controversy, Lalu Prasad was seen taking a morning walk in Singapore with his daughter, Rohini Acharya.
Sharing photographs of the outing on social media, Rohini wrote: “A father’s love is my strength; his values are my identity.”
