Imphal, February 02: Observing that use of mobile phones by persons other than the registered subscriber has become a common practice in Manipur, SP CID (SB) P Dhanakumar has cautioned that such subscribers are liable for criminal prosecution for misuse of their SIM cards for criminal activities by the end user even if they have no knowledge about the same.

The SP asserted that mobile phone consumers should take due care not to sell out their SIM cards nor should they purchase SIM cards from unknown sources or the black market.

Giving an instance of misuse of SIM cards procured from black markets, the SP conveyed that on January 30, information was received from the Intelligence Wing of neighbouring State police force that there has been suspicious calls from an AIRCEL number in Manipur making repeated enquiries about detailed programme of the visit of a prominent VVIP to that State.

Subsequently, the recorded subscriber one Laishram Premjit Singh s/o L Bheigya of Thinungei Makha Leikai was picked up.

But it transpired that he had already sold out the SIM card and was unaware of the identity of the person who was currently using the SIM card.

Further investigation revealed that Premjit used to sell SIM cards in black market.

In this particular instance, he sold 13 AIRCEL SIM cards including the one identified by the neighbouring State police to one Haobijam Prem alias Korounganba alias Aircel s/o H Chaoba of Keibul Lamjao Chingya Leikai who had earlier been arrested for having links with the proscribed KYKL.

In the course of further investigation, the SIM card sold to Haobijam Prem was found being used by one Haobijam Pakpa s/o H Ibomcha of Chingmei Awang Leikai, Bishnupur district and he has been arrested.

Pakpa revealed that he bought the SIM card from one Haobijam Sarat s/o late H Ibungo of Keibul Takmu Leikai who in turn, purchased it from Haobijam Prem alias Korounganba.

All the above named persons except the absconding Haobijam Prem alias Korounganba have been taken into custody and active investigation is continuing, conveyed the SP.

Comment