Army files FIR against telecom firm, ATSUM

Kolkata, July 25 (IANS): The army has filed an FIR against a telecom service provider and a tribal students' union on charge of issuing activated SIM cards without verification in Manipur, an army official said.  

"The army filed a first information report on Sunday against Airtel and ATSUM (All Tribal Students Union of Manipur) at the Bishnupur police station," the officer said.  According to the army, the ATSUM on July 21 distributed around 2,000 pre-activated subscriber identity module (SIM) cards of Airtel connection without verification.   "This is not only in direct contradiction of the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) regulation but also constitutes a grave security threat. These cards in the hands of militants will adversely impact the military operations in the area," the officer said. "The Airtel head at Guwahati has been intimated about the matter and he has promised to look into it," added the officer.