The Punjab Police on Wednesday withdrew the security of former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s 20 close associates, including retired IAS officer Suresh Kumar, Lieutenant General TS Shergill (retd), Raveen Thukral, Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, and the former Advocate-General Atul Nanda.

The order stated as the persons were no longer holding any official position, security personnel deployed with them would be withdrawn.

Among those whose security has been withdrawn include former Chief Minister’s chief principal secretary Suresh Kumar, his senior adviser Lieutenant General TS Shergill (retd), his media adviser Raveen Thukral, another adviser Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, his security adviser Khubi Ram, his political secretary Gurmehar Singh Sekhon, and his press secretary Vimal Sumbly among others.

Security cover of his team of advisers and OSDs - Amardeep Singh, GS Sodhi, Sandeep Singh Brar, Damanjit Singh Mohi, Gurpreet Singh Dhesi, Ankit Bansal, Jagdeep Singh Sidhu, Honey Sekhon, Karanbir Singh, and Narinder Bhabri - was also removed.

The order stated that for those residing in Punjab, the security has to be withdrawn by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Commissioner of Police (CP). While for Chandigarh residents, the force must be withdrawn by the Punjab Armed Police Commandant 82 battalion, Chandigarh, and compliance report be sent by 11 am on Wednesday. “Any personnel failing to report by the given time be marked absent and further departmental action be initiated accordingly,” the order further stated.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi reiterated his emphasis on curtailing security in order to curb VVIP culture in the State and asked the Police Department to keep only a bare minimum number of security personnel with him.  During a security review meeting, the State Director General of Police (DGP) Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota apprised the Chief Minister that the security personnel strength is being reviewed keeping in view his directions as well as the threat perception since he is a SPU protectee.