SHILLONG: Mobile network service providers in the State are currently on the job to create softwares to identify illegal SIM cards.
Sources from Meghalaya police informed that the service providers are currently experimenting with their automation technology.
The service providers are coming up with the technology after the High Court of Meghalaya ordered mobile service providers in the State to inform police of any case of pre-activated SIM being found operational in Garo Hills.
The mobile service providers are trying to come up with a technology where if any SIM card from other states gets activated in Garo Hills, the subscriber would get an alert from the company and he/she would be asked for some details and failure to comply with the formalities will lead to immediate suspension of the SIM card.
Reacting to a query, sources said the service providers are complying with the High Court orders and added that illegal SIM cards usually originate from Dimapur and Imphal.
“The KYC norms in Manipur and Nagaland are very defective which has facilitated the SIM cards from there to Garo Hills,” sources said.
It is learnt that the number of SIM cards in operation in Garo Hills is around 3-4 lakhs.
In November last year, while taking due note of the submission made by police in connection with use of illegal SIM cards by militants and gangs to commit various crimes in Garo Hills and acting on the suggestion of IGP (Law and Order) G.H.P. Raju, the High Court of Meghalaya had issued an order that henceforth all mobile service providers – Aircel, Airtel, BSNL, Idea, Reliance & Vodafone – shall furnish information forthwith to the nearest police station if any SIM activated by them is located to be operational in any part of the five districts of Garo Hills region.
