The oldest telecommunication service provider in Tamenglong district, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has been lying non-functional since the beginning of the communal clash between the Meitei and Kuki-Chin communities in Manipur.
When the Imphal Free Press visited the telephone exchange of the BSNL located near the treasury office in Tamenglong, the office was found locked with thick and tall grasses around. Sources near the office said that all the staff left the station on May 3, 2023.
As the oldest telecommunication service operation in Tamenglong has been lying defunct, all services including landline, mobile cell network, WLL, broadband have been down till today.
One subscriber, who did not want to be identified, told the IFP that since BSNL is the first service provider all important works are linked with BSNL SIM. Lying dysfunctional for four months is directly insulting the subscribers, he lamented.
He continued that the staff recruiting policy of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited must be wrong. At least, some local people should also be recruited as staff, he added.
While calling the attention of the government to resume its service, he also urged the concerned department to look into the grievances of the subscribers and resume its service.
The IFP's efforts to contact the Sub- Divisional Engineer (SDE Telecom) Tamenglong went futile as the concerned official did not pick up the call till the filing of the report.
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