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Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi's security cover reduced

Security provided by the Maharashtra government to Bombay unit chief of the Samajwadi Party Abu Asim Azmi has been reduced since Tuesday night.

The SP leader claimed that he had not received any prior information to this effect. In a letter to the Minister of State for Home Kripashankar Singh, he said, "it is shocking to find that my security has been abruptly withdrawn by the government."

"In fact, the widespread controversy over my arrest and that of Bal Thackeray's has enhanced the risk to my life and threats have been pouring in since the past few days," he said.

Bombay's Police Commissioner M N Singh confirmed that Azmi's security has been 'reduced'.

Azmi's prosecution was sanctioned on July 15 by the state government, along with that of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, for allegedly making an anti-national speech in the city.

PTI

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