Mamata orders probe into ‘phone tapping’ by Left

The state government has ordered an inquiry into alleged indiscriminate tapping of phones by the police agencies during the earlier Left Front-led government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today pointed out the phones of several political leaders,journalists and government officers were under surveillance by the investigating agencies without proper approval.

After holding a meeting with Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh,Home Secretary G D Gautama and Commissioner of Kolkata Police R Panchnanda,Banerjee said,“I have asked the chief secretary,home secretary and commissioner of Kolkata Police to inquire into the cases of of phone tapping. I have received several complaints on the issue. Persons who are involved in terrorist and criminal activities can be under the vigil of the investigating agencies through tapping of phones. But tapping phones of any other person who is not involved in criminal and terror activities is illegal.”

Banerjee said she has demanded the report in the matter and will then decide on the issue.

Meanwhile,Banerjee today announced the state is planning to set up Nazrul Academy to encourage research on the poet.