NHRC initiates probe into phone tapping case
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 02 2024: The National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) has officially registered a case filed by Yambem Laba, former acting chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission and senior correspondent of The Statesman, regarding an alleged phone tapping incident.

The complaint revolves around a private conversation between Yambem Laba and Thounaojam Brinda, former ASP of Manipur Police, which subsequently went viral on social media platforms.

The private conversation, held on October 3, 2023, at approximately 8:30 pm, was leaked on the intervening night of December 13 and 14, 2023, appearing on WhatsApp and Face-book.

The contents of the conversation led to a mob entering Thounaojam Brinda's residence at Yaiskul Janmasthan, Imphal.

The mob vehemently protested the conversation, resulting in the vandalism of Brinda's house and threats to attack Yambem Laba's residence as the next target.

According to Yambem Laba's complaint, he suspects that the private conversation was tapped with malicious intent to leak it publicly, leading to threats and actions against the parties involved.

Brinda also filed a police complaint with the Cyber Crime Unit of Manipur Police.

The alleged phone tapping incident is considered a serious violation of the rights to privacy, safety, and security guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

The NHRC has acknowledged the matter, confirming that it is being taken up for further investigation and actions.

Expressing concern, the Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) of Manipur, an NGO with a special consultative relationship with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, highlighted that this issue has become a focal point for the people of Manipur during a challenging time for the state.

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