Imphal, December 01 2009: Adding a new dimension to counter insurgency operations in Manipur, selective operations have been launched after tapping cell phones of suspects involved in militancy and extortion.

In the meantime, the State Government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Home Affairs to take up a project of Crime Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) in Manipur.

A well placed source said that information obtained from tapping cell phones carrying certain numbers are being used as feedback in counter insurgency operations.

Server required for tapping cell phones has been already installed at Police Department.

Information thus obtained after tapping cell phones have led to successful operations in some instances, conveyed the source.

Landline telephones and CDMA cell phones are spared from tapping at the moment.

Cell phones are being tapped with due permission of service providers which are usually renewed after every two months.

At the initiative of the Union Home Ministry, Crime Criminal Tracking Network System would be installed in the State to connect all police stations of the State as well as with police stations throughout the country.

An MoU was signed to this effect between the State Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs last month.

Already approved by the State Cabinet, the Finance Department has also given concurrence to the project.

A team of Home Ministry officials would be arriving at Imphal soon to work out technical means of connecting police stations.

Once the system is functional, people can check progress of any police case on internet.

Although mobile prepaid service has been banned in Jammu and Kashmir, it is still unclear whether a similar ban would be imposed or not in Manipur.

Permit for using mobile prepaid service in Manipur is valid till February next year.

Usually, permit for prepaid mobile service is given by the Department of Telecommunication for one year and is extended at the end of every year.

Meanwhile, BSNL has completed all preparations to launch 3G service in Manipur within the current month.

3G service would provide video call facility, among other facilities.

WLL Switching Centre currently based at Dimapur would be brought to Imphal soon.

Moreover, 33 new base transmission stations would be opened in the State, added the source.

Comment