Chennai, Aug. 30 -- The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK)-led government in Tamil Nadu on Sunday scaled down the security cover of former Chief Minister and DMK President MK Stalin, effectively stripping him of his elite, round-the-clock "Core Cell" protection.

Acting on the recommendations of a bi-annual security assessment, the Tamil Nadu Police's Core Cell Security Wing downgraded Stalin's protection from "Z+" to "Z" category.

The revision has trimmed his total security strength from 54 to 34 personnel, reducing the number of round-the-clock commandos and static guards deployed at his Cenotaph Road residence in Alwarpet.

The review meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Sai Kumar, Home Secretary K Manivasan, Director General of Police...