Mobile phone traders call nationwide shutdown from Friday over NEIR implementation

Mobile phone shop owners across the country will observe shutdown programme from Friday (2 January) protesting the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) announced today (1 January).

In a press release, the association said that no government agency has kept the commitments given to them.

"One department after another has given assurances, yet none of them have been reflected in reality. It is deeply disappointing to say that even the BTRC chairman failed to keep his promises, leaving mobile traders across the country feeling betrayed," it said.

The traders stated that they strongly condemn and protest this "repeated breach of commitment."

NEIR implementation: Mobile phone traders besiege, vandalise BTRC building

"The launch of the NEIR programme marks yet another instance of broken promises. Imposing such a unilateral decision on a sector that sustains thousands of traders and the livelihoods of millions is completely unacceptable," they said.

Left with no alternative, they said mobile traders across the country will keep their shops shut from tomorrow until further notice.

This is a peaceful but resolute form of protest, said the media release.

The traders stated that the core objective of this movement is to end the influence of syndicates operating in the mobile market. 

"We will no longer accept attempts to hold the entire market hostage to protect the interests of a select few groups," they said.

Earlier in the day, mobile phone traders besieged and vandalised the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building this afternoon (1 January), protesting the implementation of NEIR.

Later around the evening, the traders were dispersed from the BTRC building area. Many protesters were reportedly detained by the army during the demonstration.