Drive must to stop illegal SIM card sale

Biometric SIM registration was launched across the country showing security reasons of the state and subscribers. But fake SIM cards are now available at various stores. Criminals are using these SIM cards for their illegal purpose. General people are being victim of it which has already taken a serious turn.

Biometric SIM registration began on December 16 last year and continued till May 31 this year across the country. National ID cards and fingerprints of the mobile phone users were collected for the biometric registration. The number of re-registered SIMs exceeded 11 crores within this time. As per the rule, no SIM can be sold without fingerprint and the SIM will be active after the registration. But reverse news was seen to publish in mass media from June last. Pre-activated SIMs are reportedly sold in different parts of the country including the capital Dhaka. These SIM cards are being sold at a higher price in retail stores. Anyone can buy these SIM cards. To buy those, no fingerprint is needed. On June 29, police seized around 1 lakh illegally registered SIM cards from the capital`s Tejgaon area. On July 23, around 4, 321 SIM cards were recovered from the Riazuddin bazaar area of Chittagong. Besides, hundreds of SIM cards were recovered after conducting various drives across the country.

These illegal SIMs were registered by using fake names. Besides, there are reports of registering more than one SIM by collecting subscribers` fingerprint during the biometric SIM registration. As a result of this, personal security is being ruined as well as risk of terrorism is taking a sharp shape. Basically, biometric SIM registration was initiated to check terrorism and extortion through mobile phone. To check crime has become a big challenge due to the use of illegal SIM cards. General people are being victim of cheat and fraud.

Question of security for the state and people is linked to the illegal SIM. Stern action should be taken against those involved in this crime. The government will have to ensure that general people are not harassed by the law enforcers in this regard.

risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 16, 2016/Shahed/Amirul