Jai Ram Thakur accuses Himachal govt of phone tapping, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says ex-CM trying to sensationalise

Shimla, August 30

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today locked horns in the Vidhan Sabha over allegations of phone tapping and drone surveillance levelled against the state government.

Thakur raised the issue through a Point of Order at the start of the Assembly proceedings. “Drones manned from the residence of the SP were flown over my house since 4 am on Friday, which is a very serious matter and totally unacceptable,” he alleged.

He said, “During political turmoil early this year, every person and vehicle entering my house were under surveillance. Phones are being tapped and the surveillance of an elected representative is being done, which is a breach of my privacy. Officials have crossed their limits.” Thakur dismissed government’s claims that the drones belonged to Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Ltd (SJPNL) and not the police. Meanwhile, Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said that he had taken note of the matter.

After the Question Hour, the Chief Minister refuted allegations levelled by the Leader of the Opposition stating that the latter was trying to create sensation. “It is a serious matter as you are the Leader of the Opposition and we are concerned about your safety and security. My government does not believe in this kind of surveillance but we will find out who did it and take action against anyone found guilty. We will also write to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to find out if they are using drones,” he added.

The Speaker tried to pacify the opposition members, who were on their feet while the Chief Minister was still speaking. “He is the Leader of the House and so you must allow him to speak. At least listen to him as you will be given a chance to make your point,” Pathania said while trying to contain the pandemonium.

Thakur said the government was keeping an eye on his house with the help of drones. The Chief Minister said that the SJPNL with due permission from the District Magistrate was undertaking GIS mapping of all properties in the jurisdiction of the Shimla Municipal Corporation with the help of drones.

Sukhu, while talking to mediapersons later, said, “The Himachal Police are neither maintaining surveillance on MLAs nor tapping their phones. The Leader of the Opposition is just trying to create sensation, which has become his habit. The Opposition just wants to make headlines by staging a walkout over unsubstantiated frivolous allegations.”

He said that the former Chief Minister had failed to protect the interests of the state during his tenure, as exhibited by lopsided agreements for the Luhri, Sunni and Dhaulasidh hydroelectric projects. “Our government is committed to protecting the interests of the state and will implement these projects only if we get higher free power and these are returned to us after 40 years,” he added.