Visit Indian Travel Sites
Goa,
Kerala,
Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh,
Delhi,
Rajasthan,
Uttar Pradesh,
Himachal Pradesh,
Assam,
Sikkim,
Madhya Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir
Karnataka
|
Abduction of service providers hits telecom service in Manipur | Frequent extortion demands and abduction of telecom company staff by militants have severely affected the functioning of tele service providers in Manipur.
Recently, an Airtel Company Manager and company's field sales executive were
abducted for ransom. On December 17, 2009 police rescued two Airtel mobile
service employees, Kh Joychandra and Th Oken of Singjamei, from the clutches of
militants. The Kangleipak Communist Party --Lanheiba Meitei (KCP-MC), a
banned militant outfit, had demanded a ransom of one crore for the safe release of
employees. Acting on a tip-off, police traced the abducted Airtel employees to
Mapao Thangal village and rescued them after a gun battle with abductors. Two of
the abductors were killed in the encounter. Since the abduction, the families of these
Airtel officials have lived in trauma. Joychandra's wife Chandrakala said: "We are
not able to eat or sleep peacefully because of this incident. He is the only earning
member of the family
who is supporting the whole family." Several civil organizations condemned the
incident and staged a sit-in-protest. As part of the protest, all official distribution
centers for Airtel recharge coupons remained closed. This resulted in Airtel
subscribers
in the state facing problems in communicating, as they were unable to recharge
their phones. "The closing down of Airtel outlets is affecting our day-to-day
work. We are losing our customers as those who come for recharge coupons do not
get them," said Nanao Singh Airtel retailer. Since the introduction of private
telecom services in the state, militants have been harassing them by demanding
money. In August 2009, militants damaged 17 towers of the Tata Tele services.
In October two Aircel towers situated at Yourabung Khunou and Khurai Leikai in
Imphal were also attacked due to failure of the telecom service provider to meet
the extortion demands of the militants. It is unfortunate that people of Manipur
suffers with any such incidents. |
|
|
|
|
|