Srinagar, Feb 14: Jammu and Kashmir police have directed recharge vendors in the valley to maintain record book of customers with particulars including name, cell number and address on daily basis.
 Under new guidelines JK police has directed all the recharge vendors in the city to maintain a record book of customers on which all the particulars including customers name, cell number, recharge amount and address would be registered. Later the owners have to submit all the details to police every weekend. In addition to that the franchises of various telecom companies have to submit the personal details of customers to the police station on weekly basis under the guidelines.
 Sources told Greater Kashmir the JK police have directed all its men to implement the guidelines, in later and sprit in and around Srinagar city. “The matter was discussed recently in a high level meeting of top official of the police department after it was found that the procedure would help police in tracing the unscrupulous and criminal elements which are use mobile phone device to carry out criminal activities,” they said.
 However the shop owners alleged that the police was using this as a new tool to harass them. “How can customers, often strange to us, believe us and would furnish all the details,” said a shopkeeper in Lal Chowk.
 Another shopkeeper, who closed down his mobile phone recharging business said: “My shop used to receive hundreds of customers daily and to follow new directions I will have to employ new person to maintain the log book which I cannot afford that is why I stopped the business,” he said.
 Customers to whom this reporter spoke about the new direction called it ‘non-sense’. “We have submitted all our details to telecom companies many times, now police is asking for it. I fail to understand what they get out of it,” said a customer.
 “How can I trust somebody I don’t know and furnish my personal details?” asked a Kashmir University student. She said the information could be misused by the shopkeeper and even police.
 According to a senior police official maintaining record is mandatory under the telecom ministry’s guidelines. “And police department will ensure that these guidelines are implemented in the state,” he said.
 Sources said all the concerned Station House Officers and SDPOs’ across the state have been asked to hold meetings with the recharge shop owners of their jurisdiction and ensure that they are made aware about the telecom ministry’s guidelines. 
 When contacted IGP Kashmir S M Sahai said that new direction was issued to check the leakage of fake cell numbers. “The genuine people shouldn’t bother to give away their personal details to help police in curbing crime,” he said.
 Replying about the apprehensions and fears of public and shop owners he said: “If through this genuine exercise some person has to close down his shop. Let them close, we are here to maintain law and order and curb crime and we won’t hesitate in performing our duty,” Sahai said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST