The Congress government led by chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday reduced the security cover hitherto being extended to Bharat Rashtra Samithi president and former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
For the last nine and a half years, KCR had been under the Z category security, entitled for the chief minister of a state and also in view of the threat perception from extremists and other anti-social elements.
Now that he is no more a chief minister, the security and intelligence department has recommended scaling down of the security to Y category. So, he would be provided with eight security men in two shifts – four personnel in each shift.
He would also be provided with an escort vehicle, besides two sentries in front of his residence.
The Z-category is the country's third-highest level of security protection and includes 22 personnel, along with commandos and police personnel.
Similarly, the Y category security cover includes eight to 11 personnel, including a couple of commandos. It also comprises two personal security officers (PSOs).
Similar scaling down of security was done for the former ministers of the BRS. They would now be provided with four security personnel in two shifts (2+2).
For all the former MLAs, the government completely withdrew the security cover. Their gunmen were asked to report to their respective divisional police heads.
With regard to those ex-MLAs from Maoist-sensitive areas, who still have some threat perception, the security wing will take a decision soon, depending on the inputs from the intelligence department.