Mamata Banerjee seeks public opinion on Centre snooping order

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has denounced the Modi government’s authorisation of ten central security agencies to conduct surveillance of any computer. Questionning the purpose behind the move she wondered that why the Central government needed to give sweeping powers to its agencies when it has the machinery already. The Trinamul Congress chief also called for “public opinion.”

On Friday she tweeted, “Blanket surveillance is bad in law. I have come to know that Union Home Ministry has issued an order yesterday authorising 10 Central Agencies to carry out interception, monitoring and decryption of any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource.”

Sharing the copy of the order signed by union home secretary Rajiv Gauba on her twitter handle the chief minister asked, “Isn’t this dangerous?” She also expressing her concern anticipating that the public may be targeted by the government agencies also. Ms Banerjee noted, “If it is for national security, then only for that purpose Central government already has the machinery. But, why all commoners will be affected? Public opinion please...”

On Thursday the ministry of home affairs empowered the Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, National Investigation Agency, Cabinet Secreta-riat (R&AW), Directorate of Signal Intelligence (in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Assam only) and the Delhi Police Commissioner for surveillance on any computer.