The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Cable TV operators has urged the government to resolve their problems arising out of a conflict between two distributors of foreign pay-channels.

Addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, a group of the cable operators yesterday alleged that MGH Infocomm.Ltd, a distributor, is now appointing illegal cable operators who are mainly mastans and musclemen and said that this will create anarchy in their business.

"Such illegal appointment of cable operators will lead to a grave situation ahead of the ensuing general election," said SM Shamsur Rahman Shimul, who claimed him to be the convenor of the coordinating committee of Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (COAB).

COAB is the main organisation of the cable TV operators, but its election remained suspended following litigation.

Shimul further alleged that the government has fixed the line rate for the cable operators. But the government has not yet fixed the charge of the pay-channel for which the distributors are charging excessively, he said.

He said that the cable operators have informed the Information Ministry about the situation and urged the government to take proper action within 48 hours. "Otherwise, we'll have to go for action programme," said Shimul, who was flanked by some other cable operators.

He also mentioned that earlier the cable operators suspended their cable operation from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on October 16.