Khowai, Dec 14 (TIWN): Telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has disconnected altogether 14 land-line telephone connections of Tripura Police Department in Khowai district for the non-payment of pending bills. According to the sources, the state government had an outstanding of Rs 2 lakh with police department at Khowai district over the years. Despite repeated reminders, the payments were not being made, which compelled the BSNL authorities to disconnect the telephone lines.

Altogether five police stations and two police out posts are there in two sub divisions- Teliamura and Khowai in the Khowai district. Among them, two police stations- Champahour, Khowai and two police out posts- Subhash Park and Baijalbari are located in the Khowai sub division and as many as three police stations- Teliamura, Mungiakami and Kalyanpur are situated in the Teliamura sub division.

Of the total, the BSNL has disconnected telephone connections in three police stations completely and for rest police stations and outposts partially (outgoing) due to non-payment of pending bills. Besides, the BSNL also disconnected telephone lines in two SDPO offices- Khowai and Teliamura and fax line in SP, Khowai office. The broadband services were disconnected earlier due to non-payment of bills.

According to the source, total outstanding bills of Rs. 65000 in Khowai police station, Rs. 47000 in Champahour PS, Rs. 13000 in Teliamura police station, Rs. 30000 in SDPO, Teliamura office, Rs. 18000 in SDPO, Khowai office, Rs 10000 in Kalyanpur PS and Rs 9000 in SP, Khowai office (fax line) are pending over the years.

On the other hand, maximum police stations in Khowai district have been facing fuel crisis for long time. Due to scarcity of fuel police could not use vehicle rather using bike even in case of emergency, said a source.

Being asked, “Police should not be treated like any other department because of our nature of functioning. Before disconnecting any communication lines of police, authorities should think of the law and order problems it would create”, said an official from police department.

Truly a Golden age for Tripura, mismanagement of departments at the highest levels - Tripura's Home Minister successfully stopped people of Khowai District from contacting police or filing complaints to Police stations by telephone.