NOIDA: The district police has withdrawn the personal security officers provided to at least 28 people, including politicians and witnesses in crime cases, following a reassessment of the security system. The 28 people include former chairperson of National Commission for Women Lalitha Kumaramangalam, former minister Narendra Bhati and BJP’s Kanpur rural MLA Vinod Katiyar.Of the total 28 people, 14 people had only one gunman each, five had two gunmen, while two had three gunmen each.According to SSP, Gautam Budh Nagar, some police guards were withdrawn for non-payment of their services while others were withdrawn after it was found that they were getting adequate security cover from neighbouring states or other districts The guards of a few witnesses in prominent cases were also withdrawn. This includes the murder case of BJP functionary Shiv Kumar Yadav and the attempt-to-murder case of Kapil Singh, son of Gyanendra Singh, former pradhan of Dadri’s Ranoli village.While Shiv Kumar’s cousin Shivram Yadav’s gunman has been withdrawn, another serving with Gyanendra Singh, whose son Kapil was allegedly shot at by assailants linked to jailed gangster Ankit Gurjar in November 2014, was withdrawn too. Kapil had survived the attempt-to-murder.According to officers at the Police Lines, the decision was taken after it was found that some people who have been residing in the district were enjoying security from elsewhere too.“Former NCW chief has security cover from Delhi Police and hence the two gunmen deployed in her security were withdrawn while BJP MLA from Kanpur rural too has adequate security cover. Some have not been paying for the gunmen provided to them,” an officer said.However, those appearing as witnesses in crucial cases said they would seek additional security from the Allahabad high court while others alleged that there was no payment issue.Asked about the withdrawal of the gunman with Shivram Yadav, Yogesh Yadav, brother of slain BJP leader Shiv Kumar Yadav, told TOI that three of Shiv Kumar’s brothers including himself and two cousin brothers Shivram and Yogendra had been provided one gunman each.“We had raised the issue of withdrawal of the sole gunman to Shivram with the SSP. However, we were told that there were not enough staff in civil police. The next hearing in the Allahabad high court is slated on November 14 and we will raise the matter then,” Yogesh told TOI.SP MLC Narendra Bhati told TOI that he had been provided with three gunmen on the direction of Allahabad high court in a matter pertaining to 2007.“One gunman has been withdrawn by police. My payment goes annually and the dues are clear till January this year. I did not get any written communication about pending dues,” he said.Narendra also confirmed that one gunman too has been withdrawn from the security of his brother Vijendra Singh Bhati, a former zila panchayat chairman from Ghaziabad.

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