Mobile phone traders formed a human chain in Dhaka on Wednesday, protesting the introduction of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system and demanding the release of detained traders and withdrawal of cases.
The demonstration took place in front of the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex in the capital.
Earlier on Sunday, traders blocked the Karwan Bazar intersection during a nationwide shutdown programme against the NEIR rollout.
Earlier on Sunday, mobile phone traders staged a protest by blocking the Karwan Bazar intersection in Dhaka during a nationwide shutdown programme against the introduction of the NEIR system. As announced earlier, they launched the movement with several demands, including the release of traders arrested and detained over the attack on the BTRC.
At the time, police used water cannons, sound grenades and batons to disperse the protesters. Several people were detained from the scene. At one stage, protesters ran into the nearby Bashundhara City shopping mall while fleeing a police chase. Traffic movement later resumed.
On 1 January, mobile phone traders vandalised the BTRC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, protesting the introduction of the NEIR system. Police arrested several people in connection with a case filed over vandalism.
Since then, traders have been observing various programmes, demanding suspension of the NEIR system, an end to alleged attacks on traders, and withdrawal of cases filed against them.
