Mulayam, Maya and Lalu may lose NSG cover

Withdrawal of security provided by the elite National Security Guards (NSG) for some VIPs including Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati and downgrading the cover for several dignitaries were recommended at a high-level review meeting convened by the Home ministry.

Withdrawal of security provided by the elite National Security Guards (NSG) for some VIPs including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and downgrading the cover for several dignitaries were recommended at a high-level review meeting convened by the Home ministry.

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The NSG cover for former Union Minister Lalu Prasad, his wife Rabri Devi, Samajwadi party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi is also likely to be withdrawn.

The recommendations were made at the meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary G K Pillai and a final decision would be taken by Home Minister P Chidambaram soon, official sources said here.

Security of nearly 200 VIPs who are central protectees was reviewed during the meeting. These VIPs were guarded either by NSG or some other para-military forces.

The meeting felt that security of former ministers Shivraj Patil, Ram Vilas Paswan and Jagmohan be downgraded while that of former external affairs minister Natwar Singh be a completely removed.

The meeting recommended that NSG security to BJP leader L K Advani, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad should remain, the sources said. Chidambaram, who has refused to take any security, is believed to be of the opinion that security should be provided only to those who face credible threats.