Mobile Phone Shops Across the Country Announce Closure

The Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), the association of mobile phone sellers in the country, has announced the closure of all mobile phone shops starting today (19 November).

The announcement was made during a press conference organized on Wednesday (19 November) at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).

The decision was made in protest against the recent arrest of a smartphone and gadget businessman by the Detective Branch (DB) and the move to restrict the mobile market through the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR).

Speakers at the press conference stated that if their association’s secretary, Piyas, is not released by today, they would launch a nationwide protest and have threatened to “paralyze the country.”

It was reported that the businessman was arrested by the DB on the night of 18 November. His wife claimed that her husband was taken from their residence in Mirpur-1 at around 3 AM, and his mobile phone was also seized by the police.

Furthermore, the interim government has announced plans to launch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system on 16 December. Once implemented, the NEIR will prevent the use of unregistered, stolen, or unauthorized imported mobile phones in the country’s network.

Khaborwala/SS