In an effort to prevent the use of untraceable cell phones, India has cut off about 25 million (30%) of its phone subscribers who don’t have proper IMEI numbers. Unfortunately, this is also the tier most likely to be used in remote areas by the poorest segment of society.
To crash their only tether to the rest of the system is to sever their lifeline to the promise of a new Indian future. Meanwhile, attackers will simply shift online to secure VOIP systems.
Unless the state (by which I mean the Indian government) is powerful enough to force this through and then manage to provide those hurt with something of value this will not end well.