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Sambalpur, June 7: Thanks to easy availability and absence of proper regulatory mechanism, use of unregistered SIM cards by anti-social elements has been on the rise in several districts of western Orissa.
As the administration has no control over the sale and distribution of SIM cards, the number of crimes has also gone up in several parts of this as well as other districts in western Orissa.
According to sources, SIM cards are readily available at all major locations and markets of the town and one doesn’t need to submit any document to avail these cards. These SIM cards are ready to use and criminals throw away the cards after committing crimes, which make it difficult for cops to nab them, sources added.
Locals said such SIM cards can be easily purchased at betel shops, hotels, tea shops and other small kiosks. As the unregistered SIM cards are low in price and available sans documents, anti-socials have been using them for carrying out criminal activities without the fear of getting caught, they added.
Locals, however, blame telecom companies as well as distributors and retailers for the rise in availability of unregistered SIM cards in the market.
As there is a stiff competition among the service providers, they have relaxed the norms for purchasing SIM cards.
They said telecom operators have been playing a critical role in aiding criminal activities and promoting heinous crimes in the district by selling the SIM cards without proper documentation, they said.
Apart from aiding in growth of crimes, unregistered SIM cards are considered
responsible for making the younger generation go astray by the locals.
Owing to low price and cheap call rates, boys and girls are seen talking over phone for long hours by neglecting their studies. Students have demanded measures by the district administration to check the growth of unregistered SIM cards.
“Younger generation has gone astray as they neglect their studies and career by talking over phone. Getting a threat call and being abused over phone have become common,” said Ghanashyam Banji, a student of GM (Autonomous) College.
Women and girls of the town claim they have been facing difficulties due to calls from anonymous callers almost every day. If a complaint is made with police, the anonymous caller throws the SIM cards away, making it difficult for cops to nab him.
With the rise in number of cases of anonymous calls, women activists and rights groups have expressed concern over safety and security of women.
They have urged the administration to check the sale and distribution of unregistered SIM cards and set up a call tracking facility in the district.
“Women and girls have become insecure as they receive such (anonymous) calls. The district administration should intervene to stop the unregulated sale of SIM cards in the town. Establishment of call tracking facility is also the need of the hour to prevent such calls,” said senior lawyer Shubhadarshin Mohanty.
When contacted, deputy inspector general of police (Northern) Prateek Mohanty said there is no problem in tracking the callers as all the service providers are complying with the guidelines on operation of telecom companies issued by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
However, necessary action by police would follow to check the rise in use of
unregistered SIM cards by criminals and anti-socials in several areas, he added.
