SHILLONG: Militant outfits in Meghalaya be it HNLC or GNLA, have acquired sophisticated communication technology. They liberally use social networking sites like “Facebook” as a platform for posting messages and communicating their intentions and ideologies to the larger public by making the Page open to all for viewing and comments.
Meghalaya Police has taken serious cognizance of the use of social network sites by militant outfits in the State these sites have a significant following especially among the youth
IGP (Operations) GHP Raju admitted that the militants operating in the State rely on SIM cards procured illegally without documents from Dimapur, Imphal and other parts of NE. Militants use these SIM cards to serve demand notes and also to get information about police movements.
A notable Facebook user is HNLC’s publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw. He has adroitly used Facebook to announce bandh calls and also to give out other information. Nongtraw also uses an email account. The GNLA and ANVC (B)’s Rimpu Marak also have Facebook accounts.
Police said that at present there is no technology available to track the criminals who are using Facebook accounts for their false propaganda and to spread hatred, and anti-India sentiments.
“Many of the militants use fictitious names to evade identification by the Police while operating such accounts,” Raju said adding that using Mobile messages to extort money is a cognisable offence under the IT Act 2000.
Another problem the Police face is that victims rarely come forward to complain to police about such extortion messages. This trend emboldens the militants to rely on mobile phones for committing offences and get away with it easily.
The mobile phone is the biggest menace and challenge for the police in Meghalaya and the free availability of pre-activated SIM cards is the root cause of rampant extortion by militants.
However, it may be mentioned that the Department of Telecom has a special wing Telecom Enforcement, Regulation and Monitoring (TERM) to monitor selling of unauthorised SIM cards in the market.
Sold in the black market such SIMs are pre-activated and don’t insist on any of the formalities such as identity proof which a regular mobile phone user has to adhere to.
According to Raju, all these SIM cards are available in small shops in Meghalaya and they are bought by militants for committing offences.
Another security threat is the easy availability of Bangladesh SIM cards in Dalu,Sibbari, Gasuapara, Mahendraganj, Baghmara, Ranikor and Borsora areas of Meghalaya. This poses huge security risks for the forces operating in these areas. Bangladesh SIM cards are also used by smugglers for tying up with their operators in these areas for smuggling arms and explosives into Meghalaya. .