Srinagar, Jan 06 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to downgrade the security and protocol of all the former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, sources said here on Thursday.

Sources told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the security and the protocol enjoyed by the ex-CMs of Jammu and Kashmir will be downgraded which includes reducing of their Special Security Group (SSG) cover.

They said that the government has also decided to downgrade the security and protocol of the family members of all former CMs of Jammu and Kashmir.

The former chief ministers include PDP chief Mehboob Mufti, NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah, NC vice-president Omar Abdullah and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

KNS has also learnt that the security and protocol, a chief minister of J&K enjoys will be made available for the sitting Chief Minister only, however, the UT territory is currently ruled by a Lt. Governor as popular government is not in place in the UT since June 2018.

Sources also said that the protocol enjoyed by all the ex-CMs and their families while going out on a trip or somewhere else will also be downgraded.

They said that the government of Jammu and Kashmir will issue a formal order with regard to downgrading the security of all ex-CMs. (KNS)