Bhubaneswar: The security of former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who resides at Naveen Niwas in Odisha capital, has been downgraded.
Official sources said a high-level committee dealing with security issues concerning to important persons recommended the downgrade after recently reviewing the deployment for Naveen. The security level has been reduced from Z to Y category.
The police force and the piloting team deployed during his 24-year rule in the state has been withdrawn. Naveen will be assigned two halvildars for his security since he is the Leader of Opposition, the sources added.
Post the elections, Naveen’s security personnel was downsized to 23, including his residence. He earlier received security from 268 personnel deployed in three shifts around his residence.
In September 2023, the previous BJD government formed an exclusive anti-sabotage squad for Naveen and increased his security with the creation of 91 new posts.