No one can deny that those involved in disturbing law and order have flourished under the Mamata government in Bengal. The various instances of violence and anarchy have proven the same time and again. It seems like Bihar is also heading down the same road and will soon become the next ‘Bengal’. No, it is not just a mere claim but is based on concrete facts.
Telecom company to shut its business in Bihar
The “self-proclaimed” unions have threatened a telecom company to disrupt telecom services in Bihar. Thus, India’s organisation Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), which provides digital infrastructure, has asked the government of Bihar to take action against them.
T R Dua, Director General of Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), reported that “A self-proclaimed union has issued an illegal threat to disrupt telecom services in both states – Bihar and Jharkhand – if their alleged illegal demands, specifically regarding monetary benefits, are not met,”
If DIPA is to be believed, the tower business is in threat in Bihar for its attempts to reduce the reliance on fuel which has not been well received by the unions. Telecom infrastructure companies have also asked for help from law enforcement authorities and police personnel.
Dua has thus asked that the state government to intervene and take the necessary action to provide required directives to authorities in all districts. He has also requested the state government to maintain uninterrupted telecom connections and the safety of telecom personnel, their families, officers, agents, and partners.
Meanwhile, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has also requested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to help prevent “malpractices of diesel pilferage” in Bihar. It has reportedly alleged that various union leaders have threatened to close telecom sites which could affect 12,000 telecom towers leading to a network shortage.
Read more: Nitish Babu considers Jawaharlal Nehru ‘un-Indian’!
What is disturbing is that if the telecom company shuts its business in Bihar, it could end up leaving 9,000 people unemployed. Lakhs of users will have to switch to other networks while losing an option.
Why the telecom company is receiving threats
In Bihar, during the power crisis, the telecom companies used to provide diesel for the mobile tower to work. However, the situation improved later and there was no power crisis like earlier. Thus, the telecom companies began cutting diesel which infuriated the unions. Thus, they have resorted to threats, extortions, and other means to forcibly demand from the telecom company to provide diesel. It is because they used to steal diesel and after the telecom companies began cutting diesel, they couldn’t continue their side business.
Anarchy in the state
Bihar’s crime rate was at an average of 222.1 per lakh population. The state reported 262,815 IPC (Indian Penal Code) & SLL (Special & Local Laws) cognizable crimes in 2018 with a crime rate of 222.1 against 383.5 in the whole country.
Read more: Is it the end of Nitish era in Bihar?
Earlier in March, a mob set the Balthar Police Station on fire in Bettiah of West Champaran after a man died in police custody. Day after the clash amongst locals that led to the death of a man, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav termed it as ‘administrative anarchy in Bihar’ and requested the state government to look into the matter.
Just like Mamata’s Bengal, Nitish’s Bihar is also helping goons and the self-proclaimed unions to flourish in Bihar. It is really disheartening to witness Bihar following the law and order of Bengal. The state should rather learn from Uttar Pradesh how to deal with such goons and improve law and order.
