Cops tapping our phones, say anti-nuclear plant leaders

By Kaumudi Gurjar

Jaitapur, Maharashtra

The Ratnagiri police are allegedly tapping phones and scrutinising call records of leaders including those of political parties to gather crucial information related to the agitation against the proposed nuclear plant in Jaitapur.

Senior leaders like B G Kolse-Patil, Justice P B Sawant and Vaishali Patil have alleged that since they are heading the protests, the police are monitoring their movements continuously through technical surveillance.

Cops evasive

When asked about phone tapping, Superintendent of Police Pradeep Raskar was evasive about the issue. "We do sometimes check the phone call records but that does not mean we do it everytime. We will comment on the phone tapping at the right time," Raskar said.

Another senior official on the condition of anonymity said that during the violent protests on Monday and Tuesday in Jaitapur and Ratnagiri, it was observed that many leaders were instructing their activists on the phone.

"It's interesting to note that Jaitapur area does not have complete mobile coverage and the places where coverage was available, were the worst affected by violence. It shows that mobile communication between the leaders and activists played a crucial role during the protests," said the officer.

Retired Justice Sawant said the police often indulged in tapping phone calls of leaders under the pretext of gathering intelligence for public interest, which may not always be the case. "In any case, it will not affect our agitation against the proposed nuclear plant," he said.