Efforts to Block Illegal SIMs in Meghalaya

Mobile network service providers in Shillong are currently trying to create softwares to identify illegal SIM cards.

Meghalaya police informed that service providers are currently experimenting with their automation technology, The Shillong Times reported.

The Meghalaya High Court the mobile telecom service providers to inform police of any case of pre-activated SIM being found operational in Garo Hills. Hence, they are obligated to develop a technology to identify illegal SIMs.

They are trying to invent a technology to see if any SIM card from other states gets activated in Garo Hills. In such an event, the subscriber would get an alert from the company and he/she would be asked to verify his/her credentials. Failure to do so will lead to immediate blockage 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.

There are several lakhs of SIMs operational in the area.

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.