Telecom services hampered due to repeated extortion demands

Imphal, Feb 8 (ANI): Telecom service in Manipur has been hampered thanks to the repeated extortion demands and destruction of their towers by militant groups.

In recent days the telecom towers have become a soft targets for militant groups operating in the state.

Banned militant outfits have been repeatedly targeting telecom service providers in the state since the time they (telecom companies) began providing services.Miscreants have launched a series of attacks against these company.

On February 2, an Airtel tower was set to fire by the Kangleipak Communist Party - Military Council (KCP-MC ) Lamyanba Khuman under the aegis of Nongdrenkhomba, the outfits finance manager of Bishanpur.

On February 1, some unidentified miscreants tried to burn an Airtel tower at Yairipok.

"It happened when we were having our food. After hearing the loud sound, we rushed out to find a blazing fire. Neighbours too rushed to extinguish the fire with us," said A. Aruna Devi, aretaker "It is a sad incident. Such acts could hurt innocent people in the locality. So, we request that such activities should not be carried out in the future," said Tomba, a neighbour.

Militants had earlier threatened to kill the caretakers of the Airtel towers in the state and demanded its shutdown by January 25.

However the company is still carrying on with its operations catering to a large number of people.

"Such activities will affect communication services, which are necessary for the smooth functioning of any society. As public, we are against such deplorable activities," said Gunamani, a local.

This is not the first time that attacks of such nature have taken place.

In December 2009, militants abducted two Airtel executives who were later freed by the police. he militants had asked the company for Rs one crore for their safe release.

In October, miscreants attacked Aircel towers after extortion demands put forward by the militants were not met. (ANI)