Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir police have withdrawn the order asking mobile recharge providers to maintain the record of customers who are getting their prepaid mobile recharged.
The order was criticised by people of the state and recharge providers, who alleged that it was a discriminatory step to harass the mobile users.
However, a police spokesman said last evening that SIM cards were being misused to commit crimes, including creating panic in Srinagar during 2009 and 2010.
Official sources said the police has withdrawn the order and now there is no need for recharge providers to maintain the record of customers.
Police had directed all recharge providers to furnish details of their customers every fortnight.
During 2009 and 2010, a number of cases were registered in different police stations against unknown miscreants who had flashed baseless SMS about fidayeen attacks.
The misuse of SIM cards by the militants has also been found, he said.
Details regarding misuse of SIM cards in other districts were being collected.
He said a meeting of recharge providers was held with senior Police officers during which they were advised to keep proper records of the customers who recharge their SIM cards from them.
They were also advised to mail such details after every fortnight.
In view of the above cases, it is the responsibility of each and every law abiding citizen to provide help in order to keep the society crime free, he added. (KMW NEWS)
