New Delhi : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday directed telecom operators to begin onboarding entities from select non-financial sectors onto the new 1601-series numbering framework for transactional and service voice calls extending a system already in use by the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

After this decision, consumers can identify genuine service and transactional calls and curb impersonation and fraud carried out through regular 10-digit mobile numbers.

In addition, TRAI said it has issued directions on the use of the 1601-series numbers for entities in sectors other than BFSI and government organisations which currently use the 1600-series numbering framework.

The authority also noted that the widespread adoption of 1600-series numbers by BFSI entities has provided valuable operational experience for expanding the trusted numbering framework to other sectors.

Under the first phase of implementation, the 1601-series will be allotted to entities in the utilities sector, including electricity distribution companies, water utilities, city gas distribution companies, LPG distributors and other utility service providers.

The logistics and courier sector has also been included in Phase-I, covering courier companies, express logistics firms, parcel delivery service providers as well as freight and logistics operators involved in consignments delivery.

TRAI said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allocated the 1601-series for such calls and telecom service providers (TSPs) have been directed to complete migration and onboarding of eligible entities covered under Phase-I within 90 days from the date of the order.

The regulator further noted that 1601-series numbers would be allocated directly to eligible entities rather than intermediaries or aggregators following verification by telecom operators.

“The distinct numbering identity will enable the consumers to easily identify legitimate service and transactional calls, thereby strengthening trust in such voice-based communications,” the regulator said.

Additionally, TRAI clarified that the 1601-series numbers cannot be used for promotional voice calls by any entity.

Imphal: In a significant move to assess and further strengthen the state’s security and law-and-order situation, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday chaired a Combined Headquarters (Unified Command) security meeting, officials said.

A senior official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that during the meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat here, the Chief Minister reviewed the prevailing law-and-order situation and other related security aspects across the state.

The meeting also extensively discussed the security scenario along the National Highways and the measures required to ensure the safe movement of passengers and goods vehicles.

The Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37) and the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) are the two crucial lifelines of Manipur, connecting the landlocked state with the rest of the country. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, movement along NH-2, which passes through Kangpokpi district, has remained severely affected due to law-and-order issues, intermittent blockades and security concerns, causing hardships to commuters and affecting the transportation of essential commodities.

The high-level meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Security Advisor to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, Additional Director General of Police, Intelligence, Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo, Inspector General of Assam Rifles, South, Major General Gaurav Sharma, General Officer Commanding of the 57 Mountain Division Major General Subhankar Basu, Inspector General of CRPF Rajendra Narayan Dash, and several other senior officials.

Senior officers of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies and other security organisations operating in the state also participated in the meeting and reviewed the overall security preparedness.

According to officials, the Unified Command meeting focused on maintaining peace, improving coordination among security agencies, strengthening intelligence gathering, and ensuring the continued movement of people and goods along the key transport corridors.

Following the Unified Command meeting, the Chief Minister also chaired a separate high-level meeting with the same top security officials and representatives of transporters to discuss the early resumption of the Imphal-Guwahati and Imphal-Dimapur bus services.

The meeting reviewed various security arrangements and confidence-building measures required to facilitate the safe operation of passenger bus services on the two important routes.

The resumption of the two bus services was jointly announced by Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Independent MLA Haokholet Kipgen of Saitu Assembly Constituency during a programme held at mountainous Kangpokpi district headquarters on August 8.

The proposed resumption of bus services is being viewed as an important step towards restoring normalcy and improving connectivity between Manipur and neighbouring states – Assam and Nagaland — after prolonged disruptions caused by the ethnic unrest.

Although no major incident of violence has been reported in Manipur during the past nearly two months, the Combined Headquarters (Unified Command) security meeting assumes significance in view of the government’s efforts to normalise the situation and further strengthen security operations against militants, armed groups and other inimical elements. Officials said the state government remains committed to restoring normal life, enhancing public confidence and ensuring a secure environment for the movement of people and goods across the state.

New Delhi, Aug 10: In a significant breakthrough, the Central Range of Delhi Police Crime Branch on Monday arrested a proclaimed offender carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 who had been evading arrest for more than 12 years in a sensitive forgery case, involving fake letterheads of prominent political offices and government authorities.

The accused, identified as Manoharan Kandhasamy, was wanted in connection with FIR No. 33/2008 registered under Sections 465 and 468 of the Indian Penal Code at Mandir Marg Police Station, New Delhi.

According to Delhi Police, the arrest concludes a long and challenging manhunt against the accused, who had allegedly misused the judicial process by jumping bail and remaining untraceable for years.

The case has its origins in FIR No. 384/2007 under Section 380 IPC, registered at Mandir Marg Police Station on the complaint of Vijay Kumar, a resident of Hyderabad. Kumar reported that while staying at a Dharamshala in Delhi, he had kept gold ornaments and other valuables inside an almirah in his room. Upon returning, he found the almirah lock broken and the valuables missing.

During the investigation, police apprehended Manoharan Kandhasamy, who originally hailed from Karnataka. Although the stolen property could not be recovered from his possession, a search conducted during the investigation led to the recovery of several printed and blank letterheads purportedly issued by eminent political offices and government authorities.

Given the seriousness of the matter and its wider implications, both cases were later transferred to the Crime Branch for further investigation.

During the course of the investigation in the forgery case, Kandhasamy was arrested and sent to judicial custody. However, after spending about a month in custody, he was granted bail by the court. Police said that after securing bail, he deliberately failed to appear before the court and absconded, thereby obstructing the judicial process.

In 2014, the Court of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts, New Delhi, declared him a Proclaimed Offender. Despite extensive efforts by investigators, the accused remained untraceable for several years, leading authorities to announce a reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to his arrest.

After more than a month of sustained technical surveillance and verification, the team identified a mobile number allegedly being used by the accused in Tamil Nadu. Acting on this lead, police initiated continuous surveillance and field inquiries in the state.

The operation ultimately led investigators to Tiruchengode in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. On August 4, the accused was traced to a godown on the outskirts of the town, where he was reportedly engaged in the poultry business. He was subsequently arrested by the Crime Branch team.

During interrogation, Kandhasamy admitted that after being released on bail, he intentionally absconded due to fears of being sent back to jail and facing conviction in the case. He told investigators that he severed ties with former associates, changed his place of residence, and relocated to Tamil Nadu to avoid arrest.

Police said he had settled there with his family, established a livelihood, and continuously concealed his identity and whereabouts from law enforcement agencies.

Manoharan Kandhasamy, approximately 62 years old, originally belongs to Mangaluru in Karnataka. He has been residing with his family in Tiruchengode, Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, for several years. Married and a father of two children, he is engaged in the poultry business and operates a poultry farm that serves as the primary source of income for his family.