Natwar Singh's security withdrawn, Amar, Buta cover scaled down

The security of former external affairs minister Natwar Singh was today withdrawn by the government which also scaled down protection for several other VIPs including the Chairman of Schedule Castes Commission Buta Singh and expelled Samajwadi leader Amar Singh.

After carrying out an exercise to prune the security of "Z" and Z-plus category VIPs, the home ministry decided to withdraw security of 69-year-old Singh, official sources said.

Singh, whose name surfaced in the oil-for-food scam in Iraq in 2005, was later expelled from Congress but continued to enjoy "Z" category security which entails 45 security personnel standing guard for the VIP.

The security of Buta Singh, a former Union home minister, has also been scaled down from Z-Plus to Z which includes withdrawal of elite National Security Guards, the sources said.
 
Buta Singh's name was recently embroiled in a controversy after his son Sarabjot Singh was caught allegedly accepting bribe from one person to settle his case in SC Commission.

Amar Singh, recently expelled from Samajwadi Party, will also see downgrading of security in addition to Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee Chief Suresh Pauchuri, who had been enjoying Z-plus category security.

The security of other important leaders, including Union home minister P Chidambaram, was also reviewed following threats issued by Maoist groups.

Chidambaram, who is a Z-plus category protectee, has, however, refused to take any cover in Delhi. He has been making radical changes in security to VIPs and has been saying that security should be provided only to those who either face credible threats or hold Constitutional posts.

Surprisingly, the ministry has not touched any political stalwarts like RJD Chief Lalu Prasad, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. 

Earlier, the security of former deputy chairman of Planning Commission KC Pant as well as Shivraj Patil's daughter-in-law, grand-children and his daughter's father-in-law have been removed from the Z and Z-Plus categories.
    
NSG security to BJP leader LK Advani, former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad and anti-terrorist forum leader MS Bitta will remain.

VIPs in Z plus category get six personal security officers, two guards at house and screening staff and two escorts, while VIPs in Z category do not get screening staff.