Newmai News Network
Imphal | July 24
Two FIRs were lodged by the Army in Bishnupur police station, Manipur on July 24 regarding sale of pre-activated SIM cards – one against the "distributor" Micah Kamei and the second against Airtel for "not adhering" to the TRAI regulations.
In a press release today, the PIB, Defence Wing said that the security forces have expressed their serious concern over distribution of pre-activated SIM cards in Khoupum Valley in Tamenglong district without verification of antecedents of the customers. "An army column discovered that one Mr Micah Kamei was distributing free, pre-activated SIM cards to the villagers in Khoupum Valley without any paperwork," the PIB, Defence alleged.
It also stated that the TRAI has laid down guidelines for all telecom companies under which the verification of all customers with respect to their identity as well as proof of residence is mandatory. “This process has been subverted by Airtel wherein they are distributing SIM cards in the villages of Khoupum Valley without getting any forms filled,” it further said. This practice, the press release added, will ultimately lead to the SIM cards reaching the wrong hands and enabling insurgent groups to use these SIM cards for extortion and violence related activities in the region.
According to the PIB, Defence, the security forces have been able to maintain a stable security situation in the remote areas of Manipur after a concerted effort in which the State police have also contributed considerably.
"However, the insurgent groups are trying to pressurize the villagers in such remote areas by forcing them to pay taxes. Getting access to unauthorized SIM cards will allow them to threaten village chiefs as well as villagers who do not cooperate with them and they will also be able to get advance information of any move of security forces through their informers. Since their true identity would remain hidden even in the records of the telecom company, they would be able to carry out all illegal transactions through such mobile connections with impunity,” the PIB, Defence note said.
The telecom companies, it added, need to realise the security implications of such malpractices and take all effective measures to ensure that SIM cards are only issued to bonafide persons who have valid identity and address proofs.
