PIB DEFENCE,
Imphal, July 25: The security forces have expressed their serious concern over distribution of pre-activated SIM cards in Khoupum Valley 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 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. This practice 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.
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 has 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 telecom companies 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.
Two FIRs have been lodged in PS Bishnupur on 24 Jul 16, one against the distributor, Micah Kamei and the second against AIRTEL for not adhering to the TRAI regulations and the concerns of the security forces have been shared with the police as well.