Other States - Bihar   

Decision of NSG cover for Rabri triggers row

While JD (U) says it will put huge burden on the State, RJD has voiced concern over delay in implementation

Patna: The Union home ministry's decision to provide National Security Guard (NSG) cover to former chief minister Rabri Devi has touched off a row between Bihar's ruling JD-U and the opposition RJD and put the state government in a tight spot due to the huge cost it will have to incur on the security personnel.

The Union home ministry's move has triggered a battle of words between the JD (U), which has opposed the decision by citing the enormous burden it will put on the state exchequer, and Rabri's RJD, which has voiced concern at a delay by the state government in providing necessary facilities.

The RJD has claimed she faces a threat to her life from the Ranvir Sena, a private militia of upper caste landlords.

"The security cover provided to Rabri Devi is wider than that of even Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Since she has adequate security and the cost involved in providing NSG cover is too high, we have apprised the Union Home ministry of the situation," State Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah told reporters on Thursday.

Mr. Amanullah said while Mr. Kumar is guarded by 86 personnel, while 195 officers and men of the CRPF, Bihar Military Police, district armed police and Special Branch provide security to Rabri Devi and her husband, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who also has NSG cover.

A company of CRPF comprising 100 personnel guards Mr. Prasad whenever he is in Bihar. This is in addition to the Railway Protection Force which guards the minister.

According to State home department sources, the Union home ministry has requested that two bulletproof cars be provided for Rabri Devi. This is in addition to the one she already has. It has also sought light vehicles, wireless sets, mobile phones, firing range-cum-training centre and accommodation for the 32 NSG commandos it proposes to deploy.

Mr. Amanullah said this would entail a huge and unnecessary financial burden for the cash-strapped State.

When contacted, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the security provided to Rabri Devi was in accordance with provisions of an Act passed by the Assembly during the RJD-Congress regime.

"I am at a loss to understand what led the Union home ministry to arrive at the conclusion that there was a serious threat to Rabri Devi's life. The law and order situation has improved considerably and criminals are being apprehended on a large scale and subjected to speedy trial," he said.

Mr. Kumar said if Rabri Devi was provided security by both the State police and the NSG, there will be "a duality of command" and fixing responsibility in case something untoward happened would be a major problem.

Shyam Rajak, a Lalu Prasad confidant and RJD spokesman, said the State government's letter to the Union home ministry demanding a review of its decision was causing "serious concern".

"Rabri Devi has received several threatening letters from the Ranvir Sena. It is only after the home ministry satisfied itself about her threat perception that it decided to provide her NSG cover. The State government's reluctance to make available required facilities for the NSG commandos is reflective of its utter callousness," Mr. Rajak said.

JD (U) general secretary Shivanand Tiwari, however, differed on this issue. "The Bihar government's intelligence agencies have no knowledge of any threat to Rabri, nor has the Union home ministry apprised the Bihar government of any serious threat to her life," he said in a statement.

Mr. Tiwari said in 2006, Rabri Devi had left Patna only nine times and on seven of those occasions she was accompanied by Lalu Prasad, who enjoys NSG cover.

"Rabri Devi lives in an impenetrable fortress-like bungalow guarded by 195 jawans. The Bihar government perceives no threat to her," Mr. Tiwari said.

He said the NSG was a specially trained Central force and "deploying it for Rabri Devi's security will lead to its demoralisation which will not be in the national interest". -- PTI

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Decision of NSG cover for Rabri triggers row

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