Lalu-Rabri returning security gadgets: staff

"Enough is enough. We cannot allow the state government to mete out step-motherly treatment to us", said Rabri.

Reacting angrily to an order of the Bihar Police on replacing the powerful wireless set with a low-frequency one at their residence, state leader of Opposition Rabri Devi on Saturday said that she and her husband Railways Minister Lalu Prasad would 'return' all securitymen, bullet-proof vehicles, personal staff and other facilities provided by the state government if it failed to take back its decision.

"Enough is enough. We cannot allow the state government to mete out step-motherly treatment to us. We will be returning all the facilities we have been enjoying from the state government," an angry Rabri Devi said.

In a statement issued to the press earlier in the day, Rabri Devi asked the state government to immediately restore the powerful wireless set or otherwise 'withdraw' all facilities enjoyed by them from the government under the Bihar Special Security Act, 2000 and Bihar Special Security Group Rule, 2000, saying "the people of the state would take care of their security".

Rabri's angry outburst is believed to have been caused by Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and State Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah's statement defending the decision to withdraw the powerful wireless set saying the state government would not allow any one 'spying' using such gadgets.

Alleging the order was 'discriminatory' as the State Special Security Act, 2000 provided for foolproof security to former chief ministers on par with the Chief Minister, Rabri Devi said the office of the Director General of Police had written a letter to the security in-charge at her residence 10, Circular Road, informing that the "old and powerful" wireless set was being replaced with a low-frequency one.