Chandigarh, May 25 (IANS) To curb the menace of issuing SIM cards on fake identities, a major security threat, the Punjab Police have got blocked over 1.8 lakh SIM cards activated using fake identities and forged documents, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday.
In one case 500 SIM cards have been issued with the same photograph but in different names by forging documents.
The Internal Security Wing in association with the Department of Telecom had begun a crackdown against distributors and agents selling SIM cards on fake identities.
Yadav said: "Action is being initiated against point of sales distributors, agents and other persons involved in issuing SIM cards on fake IDs."
The police have arrested 17 people, who were found involved in the sale of SIM cards on fake documents, besides registering 52 FIRs in the last three days.
Special DGP (Internal Security) R.N. Dhoke said that he had held multiple meetings with the Department of Telecom and telecom service providers. Subsequent to that action was taken.
He said Inspector General of Police (Counter Intelligence) Rakesh Agrawal has been made the nodal officer and a drive is on to further identify the SIM cards issued on fake IDs.
The special DGP also warned retailers of strict action for failing to comply with the Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, a lapse that resulted in the activation of thousands of SIM cards fraudulently.
"Special teams of the Counter Intelligence Wing have been coordinating with the district police to zero in on SIM card retailers, who activated different mobile phone numbers with the same proof of identity," he said, adding that they are also taking up the matter with the telecom authorities to blacklist such agents.
A portion of the perimeter wall, extending upto 15 feet, near gate number 27 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport crashed down on Sunday, leading to security concerns, officials said here on Monday.
The arrested has been identified as Gurbhej Singh of Tarn Taran. He has a criminal background and had recently been released from Goindwal Sahib Central Jail. Police have also named Sukhdeep Singh, Lakhbir Singh, Satnam Singh, Yadwinder Singh, and Baaghi Singh in the FIR.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said with this 580 Aam Aadmi Clinics are now operational in the state. He said these clinics have been dedicated to the people in three phases. He said these clinics have already proved to be a cornerstone in imparting quality health services to people.
In his address at an event in Punjab's Ludhiana city after dedicating 80 Aam Aadmi Clinics, Kejriwal said the central government has put probe agencies after him to prove "by any means" that he is "a thief".
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Majithia on Friday demanded the dismissal and arrest of Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak after allegations that he allegedly committed unnatural sexual offence with a minor boy.
This is the first time that the ED has named Sisodia in its charge sheet in the matter. Earlier, the CBI, which is conducting a parallel probe into the excise policy case, had named Sisodia in its supplementary charge sheet.
