"My phone was tapped," says Mamata Banerjee, blames centre
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday urged the centre to launch an investigation into messaging service WhatsApp's announcement that unnamed entities had used Israeli spyware to snoop on journalists and human rights activists.
"This is very serious. I will request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure that the matter is probed," she said, citing reports alleging central involvement in the snooping row.
The Trinamool Congress chief described the situation in the country as "quite serious". "Where is our freedom of speech? What independence do we have now that we cannot even talk freely over the phone? Somebody is listening to everything we say," news agency PTI quoted her as saying. "We used to think that WhatsApp messages can't be intercepted, but even that hasn't been spared. Neither landline phones nor mobile phones are safe - it's total espionage."
Ms Banerjee also accused the centre of tapping her phone on multiple occasions. "My phone was tapped, and I know that because I have the information and evidence with me. The government knows it because they are the ones doing it. This is happening at the behest of the central government and two-three state governments. I will not name the states, but one of them is ruled by the BJP," she said.
Courtesy: NDTV.com
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Hassan: Farmer killed in wild elephant attack
Hassan: A 65-year-old farmer was killed in a wild elephant attack in Belur taluk on Sunday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Raj shetty (65), a resident of Kanaguppe village.
According to police, the elephant, which was hiding in nearby bushes, suddenly attacked Raj shetty while he was on his way to work in his garden. The animal reportedly lifted him with its trunk and trampled him to death.
Forest department officials and police come to the spot upon receiving information and launched an operation to drive the elephant away.
The incident occurred within the limits of Arehalli police station.
