On Sunday, 4 January, law enforcement officers resorted to water cannons, sound grenades, and tear gas to control a chaotic situation when mobile phone traders attacked police while attempting to remove a roadblock. Several officers were injured, and multiple individuals were taken into custody.
According to Md. Shawkat Ali, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna division, a group of mobile phone traders had gathered at Sonargaon Crossing since the morning. By around 11:00 am, they had completely blocked the road, causing severe traffic congestion and immense public inconvenience. The police, acting within the framework of the law, attempted to clear the area, prompting the protesters to temporarily disperse.
Timeline of Key Events
| Time | Event | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Traders gather at Sonargaon Crossing | Observation by police |
| 11:00 am | Road fully blocked | Police attempt to clear the road; traders disperse temporarily |
| Shortly after | Traders attempt roadblock again | Police take strict measures; some officers injured |
| Afternoon | Traders enter Bashundhara Shopping Complex | Investigation underway regarding possible instigators |
| Throughout | Protests cause public disruption | Water cannons, sound grenades, and tear gas deployed |
ADC Shawkat Ali further explained that a segment of the traders attempted to block the road again after initially leaving, prompting police to take firm action. Several officers were injured during the ensuing clashes. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the arrested individuals were genuine traders or if external instigators were involved.
Concurrently, a portion of the protesters entered the Bashundhara Shopping Complex. Police are assessing whether any troublemakers sought to exploit the situation.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Tejgaon Division, Md. Ibne Mizan, described how protesters sat on the streets around Sonargaon Mor, ignoring repeated requests to disperse. Police initially used water cannons to break up the crowd. Later, an unexpected assault was launched on officers stationed at Sonargaon Mor, prompting the deployment of sound grenades and tear gas. Protesters fled into narrow lanes, while several officers, including an ADC, sustained injuries.
Regarding the protesters’ demands, DC Ibne Mizan stated that no direct demands were communicated to the police. He suggested the protesters should have approached the appropriate authorities rather than creating public disruption to pressure the government. Police remain on high alert in the area.
The unrest comes in the wake of the government’s implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on 1 January, aimed at curbing the use of illegal and unofficial mobile handsets. All mobile phones are now registered via their IMEI numbers in a national database—a move that traders had long opposed.
