It is really good that the Jammu and Kashmir Police has widened the inspection drives across Kashmir valley against vendors over misuse of SIM cards, urging them to ensure strict compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines and telecom regulations. Reportedly, Police has initiated a comprehensive inspection drive of SIM card vendors in Srinagar and Budgam districts to prevent the misuse of SIM cards for any criminal, fraudulent, or terror-related activities and to ensure strict compliance with Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines and telecom regulations.
Police teams from all five zones of Srinagar District — covering Police Stations Khanyar, Lal Bazar, Saddar, Nishat, RM Bagh, Soura, Parimpora, Safakadal, Karan Nagar, Batamaloo, Maisuma, Kralkhud, Kothibagh, Zakoora, Ahmad Nagar, Shaheedganj, Sangam, Soura and Police Posts Noorbagh and Bagiyas, Khimber conducted thorough inspections of SIM vendors operating within their respective jurisdictions. More than 50 SIM vendors were checked, focusing on verification of identity proofs, record maintenance, and ensuring that SIMs are issued only to genuine subscribers with valid documentation.
Looking at the crucial security scenario across J&K such drives hold much significance. It is laudable that JKP after going for assessment of the situation on ground has started this process in aforesaid districts but looking at the nefarious designs of Pakistan based terror modules and threat of infiltration, it is necessary that all the districts in Jammu and Kashmir should be brought under such a scanning process to ensure that not even a single SIM card could be misused to dent the interests of India and Indians. It is important to issue mobile connections responsibly because their misuse can pose a grave threat to national security and public safety. It is also significant to maintain accurate records for all issued SIM cards besides ensuring strict compliance with KYC norms.
Considering the gravity of risk involved in misuse of SIM cards, the men in Khaki should not hesitate in imposing penalties, cancelling of the licenses and action under law for every bit of non-compliance because any lethargy in such cases could prove deleterious for the country especially in places near to Pakistan border, where there are maximum chances of anti-nationals indulging in misadventures by making links with the people living across the border. As the police has requested the public to extend cooperation during these inspections and to ensure that SIM cards registered in their names are not misused, it is imperative that the people should report any suspicious activity or irregular issuance of SIMs to the nearest police station as remaining vigilant and aware is the duty of all.
