TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Telephonic conversations of about 20 persons, with suspected terrorist links and involved in serious criminal activities, were tapped by the State government since March 2012. However, there were no political angle to tapping, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar assured the House Tuesday.
Parrikar informed the Legislative Assembly Tuesday that 20 mobile phones and landline numbers are kept under routine surveillance, while responding to a starred question by Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate.
The chief minister said that the State level review committee headed by chief secretary decides on the surveillance or tapping of mobiles or landlines. “The DGP level officer can sanction such tapping for up to seven days, provided he takes post-facto approval from the committee,” Parrikar said claiming government is not involved in illegal tapping.
“All the tapping is related to crime. Most of these cases are related to terrorism, where there is clear suspicion of having links with terrorism, and serious offences. We have followed all procedures,” he told the House.
The Opposition benches suspected that their cell phones were tapped by the government. St Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate was the first to ask the chief minister whether his phone calls were being tapped to which Parrikar replied in the negative.
“None of the politicians are on the list. The phone tapping is non-political,” he said while also allaying fears raised by Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane.
Parrikar however declined to reveal the details of the persons, whose phones are being tapped, saying he himself is not supposed to know.
“I am not supposed to know unless it is a sensitive case or of public importance. The file doesn’t come to me… The information is confidential and its disclosure is not in public interest,” he said.
“I don’t know whether my phone is being tapped,” the chief minister said in a lighter way.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane expressed their misgivings about whether any private agency was tapping the phones.
“I don’t believe in this type of tapping. It is a serious breach of privacy. If I come across that any private agency is doing it without government’s permission, I will surely take action,” Parrikar said.
Oppn MLAs allay fears
PANJIM: To a question by Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane who also suspected his phone was being tapped, Parrikar said in a rather lighter vein that those who do surveillance have no patience to hear half an hour long conversations.
“For example, if your phone is being tapped, who will go on listening to your half an hour long conversation? Whenever I call you on your phone, it is busy… When someone calls you and if it’s busy, he should try you again only after half an hour,” he said as the House burst into laughter.
Independent MLA Vijay Sardessai picking up the opportunity taunted that Parrikar was in regular touch with Rane to which the latter clarified, that this was in the past and not now.
Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco challenged the chief minister to ensure in writing his phone was not tapped by any private agency. Parrikar responded saying, “I am saying on the floor of the House, it is not. To the best of my knowledge your phone is not being tapped.”
In yet another light hearted comment Parrikar said that those who fear that private agencies are tapping their calls, should change their numbers frequently and take another number for personal use.
