Bihar government takes George Fernandes off VVIP security list

PATNA: The Z-category security coverage of veteran socialist leader George Fernandes has been withdrawn by the Bihar government in the latest exercise to review security of VVIPs.

According to a notification issued by the Home department yesterday, Fernandes has been taken out of the list of VVIPs provided security net.

Decision to this effect was taken on recommendation of a meeting of the state security committee recently.

The ailing socialist leader has been the former Union Minister and ex-president of JD(U).

In addition to Fernandes, suspended JD(U) Rajya Sabha member Anil Sahni, embroiled in the LTC scam case, has also lost his place in the list of VVIPs who are provided security.

The security of Narendra Singh, friend-turned foe of Chief Minister Kumar, has been downgraded from Z-category to Y-category, the notification said.

Former chief of the state Human Rights Commission S N Jha and former head of Kosi Bandh Katan Manch Rajesh Walia have also been taken off from the list of persons provided security coverage, the notification added.