Chinese handsets set to freeze in UP Preetam Srivastava | Lucknow
Cell phones made in China are cheap, loaded with software and look smart. But if you own one and live in Uttar Pradesh, perhaps it's time to look for a not-made-in-China handset if you wish to remain connected. In keeping with a Union Home Ministry alert, the police have asked mobile service providers to 'freeze' all Chinese handsets as they pose a security risk. Handsets made in China lack a major component: They do not have an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). Hence, they cannot be tracked on the cellular network and their users can escape detection. This is the reason why security agencies have expressed serious concerns. In the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack, the objections raised by the security agencies have grown louder. In layman's terms, whenever a call is made from a cell phone, the IMEI number of the handset is flashed on the switch of the service provider and enables it to detect the type of instrument and track the user. But if a call is made from a handset without an IMEI, this is not possible. Intelligence operatives and police officials in States that face a serious threat of terror attacks are alarmed by the possibility of terrorists planning and executing an operation using such handsets. More so in Uttar Pradesh, which has suffered terrorist strikes and is known to have sleeper cells, apart from being a safe transit route for terrorists. State DGP Vikram Singh has asked mobile service providers to 'freeze' Chinese cell phone handsets without an IMEI. Describing it as a mandatory requirement for handsets and operating mobiles, the DGP has written to all service providers and district police chiefs, pointing out that despite clear instructions from the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology on stopping the operation of such sets, concrete measures were yet to be taken. He has sought immediate action. The DGP said anti-national elements and criminals using such handsets could pose a serious threat to internal security. The handsets pose serious problems for law-enforcing agencies since they are very difficult to track. In view of these factors and the threat of terrorist strikes, the DGP has asked service providers to strictly follow the guidelines laid down by the Ministry. Stern action will be taken against those operators who do not 'freeze' mobile handsets without IMEI. Singh has also asked police officers to prepare a list of service providers found not following the guidelines so that a recommendation to initiate legal proceedings against them could be sent to the Ministry concerned. A senior official of a private mobile service provider confirmed that an order had been served on all service providers operating in the State. "All the calls that are made on a mobile phone pass through a system, called switch, which helps track the caller and the handset's location. We can freeze a set and block the number being used by a handset without an IMEI. The nation's security is paramount and we are all in favour of helping the police and intelligence agencies. We will start the freezing Chinese handsets after a final consultation," he added. Email | Wishing all on Louis Braille Bi-centinal birthday, January 4! To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
