Mobile phone shop owners announce countrywide closure in protest against NEIR, detention of Sumash Tech CEO
The organisation has warned that if Piash is not released by today, they will launch a tougher nationwide movement and "bring the country to a standstill".
Mobile phone traders have announced the closure of all handset retail shops across the country from today (19 November), protesting the detention of the Sumash Tech CEO by the Detective Branch (DB) and the upcoming launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR).
They have alleged that the detention of CEO Abu Sayeed Piash, who is the secretary of Mobile Business Community, Bangladesh (MBCB), is a move to disrupt their protest against the NEIR, which they claim will shrink the mobile market.
MBCB Vice President Shamim Mollah briefed the media about their decision and allegations at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) today (19 November). Arif Hossain, the president of the organisation's Chattogram unit, also spoke at the briefing.
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The organisation warned that if Piash is not released by today, they will launch a tougher nationwide movement and "bring the country to a standstill".
After the briefing, the business leaders were seen going towards the DB office of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Minto Road.
Earlier, around 3am today, smartphone and gadgets businessman Piash was picked up by DB officials.
His wife, Sumaiya Chowdhury, confirmed the matter and said the police officials also seized Piash's mobile phone.
The matter of Piyas's detention came to light after it was reported that Mizanur Rahman Sohel, head of online at Dainik Bhorer Kagoj and the secretary of the Online Editors Alliance, was also detained last night by the DMP DB. Mizanur was released this morning after overnight questioning.
The Business Standard tried to get a comment on both detentions. However, DB's Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam and DMP Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Talebur Rahman declined to comment.
In a Facebook post this morning, Mizanur said DB officers picked him up from his home around 12am last night and kept him in a lockup for more than 10 hours without explaining any reason for the detention. He was dropped off at home around 10:15am today.
Mizanur claimed he later realised he was detained to obstruct a planned press conference by mobile phone traders opposing the NEIR.
Questions about the detention were raised at a government meeting, where Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam said he was unaware of the incident and would look into it.
Journalist Zulkarnain Saer alleged that Mizanur's detention was carried out at the behest of Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, a special assistant to the chief adviser on posts, telecommunications and information technology, to benefit a syndicate pushing NEIR without consulting broader industry stakeholders.
Mizanur echoed this claim, alleging that the measure would benefit only nine traders while harming thousands of mobile phone businesses and contradicting free-market principles.
Faiz and the telecom ministry have rejected all allegations, calling them baseless, politically motivated, and an attempt by a vested group to damage his reputation.
Faiz said NEIR is being implemented for national security purposes and that law-enforcement agencies act independently, noting he has no personal or professional connection with Mizanur.
