Mobile phone traders from different shopping malls have blocked the road in Dhaka’s Agargaon to press several demands including reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.
They staged a demonstration in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building around 10am, causing severe traffic congestion on the road.
The protesters under the banner of Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) demanded that import duties on mobile phones be reduced from 57 percent to 10-12 percent.
Their other demands include reforms to the NEIR system, elimination of syndicate practices in the market, and easier opportunities for legal imports.
Leaders of the organisation alleged that despite raising these issues for a long time, the government has not taken any effective measures.
Following the road blockade, traffic jams spread to nearby key areas including Shyamoli and Shishu Mela.
To control the situation, both the army and police were deployed in front of the BTRC building. Police presence was seen after 1pm, while the army men were deployed after 2pm.
On Sunday morning, the mobile traders shut their shops for an indefinite period. The Bangladesh Mobile Business Community (MBBC) announced the demonstration on Saturday night.
