Sena-backed cable TV operators seek police protection

Shiv Sena-backed cable operators, after defying the order of digitisation of cable television, have now sought police protection for themselves.

“We met the Collector today [on Friday] and submitted a memorandum stating that there is a threat to the lives of cable operators and thus they should be given police protection,” Shiv Sena leader Anil Parab told The Hindu. He is the leader of the cable operators’ union.

“People have been thronging cable operators’ offices across the city since November 1 and demanding that set-top boxes be installed in their homes. The situation turned violent at some places. We want protection,” he said.

He said it was not possible for the cable operators to install set-top boxes in all houses in the city and thus they should be granted more time.

“We have asked the government to give us an extension till December 31. The cable operators will install set-top boxes at all the places by then,” he said.

Asked about the recent Bombay High Court order refusing to stay the digitisation order, he said the order did not stop the government from extending the date for the implementation of the order.