Tarana raids shops for unregistered SIMs

State Minister for Telecom Tarana Halim yesterday confiscated at least 15 SIM cards of four mobile operators in an impromptu raid on roadside shops in the capital's Paltan area.

The SIM cards were being sold without proper registration by a local roadside vendor. Two other vendors ran away after becoming aware of the surprise raid. 

"I will seek clarifications from all mobile operators for this irregularity, and they will have to respond within five days," Halim told reporters on the scene.

Halim said she would also engage with the home ministry and the telecom regulator to ensure proper registration of SIM cards.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also instructed the authorities to crack down on SIM duplication and fake registrations during a meeting of the Digital Taskforce last week. 

Halim later went to the GPO and talked with users about the services and performance of the national postal officials.

Halim has been warning of tough action against irregularities in the telecom sector since she took office on July 14.