Dhaka, Mar 10 (UNB)-Amid a reported tele-crime galore, the government Wednesday instructed mobile-phone operators to immediately book the unregistered SIM cards to check different types of crimes being committed by phoning.

Besides, they were asked to take photocopy of the National Identity (NID) card of the customer in time of purchasing a SIM card. It is also mandatory to produce a guarantor’s address and contact number.

The government instructions came from a meeting held at the Home Ministry with Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun in the chair.

The meeting elaborately discussed various recommendations submitted by the committee on Prevention of Telephonic Extortion, which was formed earlier with BTRC Chairman Brig Gen(Retd)ZIA Islam as the chief.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, the Home Minister said two lakh SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards have already been blocked following allegation of threatening or demanding toll or committing other crimes through the freewheeling use of mobile phones.

“I request mobile operators not to sell SIM card without NID from tomorrow. I hope this process will reduce mobile crimes,” Sahara said.

The Home Minister said two separate committees will be formed to implement the recommendations given by the committee for preventing telephonic extortion.

State Minister for Home Affairs Advocate Shamsul Haq Tuku, Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, IGP Nur Mohammad, DG of RAB Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, DMP Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haq, high officials concerned and representatives of mobile operators attended the meeting.