NEIR implementation: 45 sent to jail over attack, vandalism at BTRC building
The case was filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station by Muhammad Ashrafuzzaman Jahed, assistant director of the Legal and Licensing Division of BTRC
A Dhaka court has ordered 45 people to be sent to jail in connection with the attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building over the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Israt Jahan passed the order today (2 January) after police produced the accused before the court, according to court sources.
Md Shamsuzzohar Sarkar, sub-inspector (SI) of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station and the investigation officer of the case, sought to keep the accused in custody, stating that they had reportedly admitted to causing damage during preliminary interrogation.
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He added that their identities and addresses could not be immediately verified and that efforts were underway to identify those who directly or indirectly instigated the violence.
The investigation is ongoing, and remand may be sought later, he said, adding that the accused might abscond if released on bail.
Lawyers for the accused sought bail, while the state opposed the plea. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the bail petitions and sent the accused to jail.
According to the case statement, mobile phone traders in Bangladesh had earlier staged protests over various demands, and the BTRC chairman held several meetings with the protesters. However, following a final decision by the authorities, the NEIR system was formally launched on 1 January.
Angered by the launch, the 45 arrested individuals, along with nine others now on the run and 500-600 unidentified protesters, allegedly gathered in front of the BTRC building in Agargaon under Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police jurisdiction around 3:30pm on 1 January.
They reportedly chanted slogans, resumed protests, and vandalised the BTRC building, including its walls, causing damage estimated at around Tk20 crore.
A 51-seat BTRC bus parked in front of the building was also damaged, with losses estimated at Tk1 lakh.
The case was filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station by Muhammad Ashrafuzzaman Jahed, assistant director of the Legal and Licensing Division of BTRC.
