Mobile phone traders staged demonstrations in Agargaon on Sunday, blocking parts of the road near the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) office to protest the government’s move to disable unapproved handsets and the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.
Traders under the banner Mobile Business Community Bangladesh began gathering around 10:00am in front of the BTRC building. Around 10:30am, they took position on the Shyamoli–Agargaon road, halting traffic on one side and creating long tailbacks at the Shishumela intersection, Mirpur Road in Shyamoli, and several areas of Agargaon and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam said vehicle movement from Shishumela towards Agargaon remained stopped as protesters blocked one side of the road. Traffic on the opposite lane was moving normally.
Another group of traders also blocked the Agargaon intersection, increasing congestion in the area.
The protesters said the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system and the plan to disable unapproved handsets would hurt hundreds of thousands of traders and workers across the country.
They claimed the policy would benefit a small group of businesses while increasing mobile phone prices for customers.
The demonstration was continuing till at least 2:20pm, police said.
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