Mobile phone traders in the capital on Wednesday blocked the SAARC Fountain intersection in Karwan Bazar, demanding the resignation of Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser responsible for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.
The protest began around 5:40pm, with traders calling for reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the abolition of monopolistic syndicate practices, and the creation of opportunities for open mobile phone imports. During the demonstration, protesters set fire to tires and wooden planks and reportedly vandalized a vehicle, reports Prothom Alo.
The blockade brought traffic at the intersection and surrounding roads to a standstill, causing severe inconvenience to commuters.
Mohammad Akkas Ali, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Tejgaon division), confirmed the disruption, saying, “Traffic has come to a complete halt due to the traders blocking the SAARC Fountain intersection.”
Traders warned that implementing NEIR would negatively affect millions of traders and their families. They also alleged that a specific group would benefit from the new system, and that additional taxes would increase mobile phone prices for consumers.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) plans to implement NEIR from December 16. The government has also announced reduced duties for legally imported mobile phones and special provisions for expatriates bringing phones into the country.
According to authorities, under NEIR, every mobile phone will be registered, and the use of illegally imported phones will be prohibited.
