Govt firmly rules out suspension

FE REPORT

Bangladesh's newly launched National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system has sparked widespread protests by mobile phone traders, leading to clashes on the streets of Dhaka.

While traders have demanded the withdrawal or postponement of the system, the government has firmly ruled out shutting it down, insisting that key demands have already been addressed through tax cuts and regulatory concessions.

The unrest escalated on Sunday as mobile phone traders enforced a nationwide shutdown and staged sit-ins at several key points in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, Sonargaon intersection and the Bashundhara City area.

Police moved to clear road blockades after issuing repeated warnings, leading to clashes that left at least 20 traders injured and around a dozen detained,  according to trader representatives.

Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ibne Mizan said the traders were blocking the Karwan Bazar intersection, causing severe inconvenience to commuters.

"Despite repeated requests, they did not vacate the road. We then baton-charged them to disperse the crowd. The protesters later regrouped and threw bricks at police personnel, prompting the use of water cannons and tear gas," he added.

"Several police officers were injured during the clashes and eight to 10 protesters were detained," said the deputy commissioner.

Police said that at one stage around noon, traders moved towards Kathalbagan and again attempted to block intersections, leading to further use of water cannons, tear gas and sound grenades. Protesters allegedly retaliated by hurling bricks.

Earlier in the day, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, rejected calls to suspend the NEIR system, describing the recent violence as "unacceptable and unlawful".

Speaking to reporters after visiting the BTRC building -- damaged in an attack allegedly carried out by illegal mobile phone traders -- he said the assault was particularly regrettable as it occurred on the same day the government significantly reduced import duties on legally imported mobile phones.

"Through the implementation of NEIR, a pathway has been created to free citizens from SIM- and unregistered device-based crimes, financial fraud and deception," Taiyeb said.

He noted that mobile phone import duties had been reduced by nearly 60 per cent, marking the highest single-sector duty cut in Bangladesh's recent history.

"Instead of welcoming this decision, attacking a key state institution is completely unacceptable," he added.

Taiyeb reiterated that all mobile phones imported into Bangladesh before January 1 -- whether already in use or still unsold -- would be legitimised under the NEIR framework.

He said seven companies had already submitted lists of IMEI numbers for their unsold devices, while others had yet to comply.

"Some businesses may be misled or deliberately obstructing the process. We hope everyone will step away from such actions and become partners in implementing NEIR."

The NEIR system was officially launched on January 1 as part of a government initiative to curb illegal handset imports, prevent mobile phone theft, reduce crime linked to unregistered devices and protect state revenue.

Since its rollout, dissatisfaction has grown among handset retailers, prompting several meetings between the BTRC and representatives of the Mobile Business Community of Bangladesh (MBCB).

According to the BTRC, traders raised four principal demands during these discussions, several of which the regulator claims have already been met.

On import duties, the BTRC said it had repeatedly urged the National Board of Revenue and other authorities to lower taxes, resulting in a reduction from around 61 per cent to approximately 43 per cent.

To simplify imports, the regulator said vendor enlistment would be expedited and documentation requirements eased. Importers will now be allowed to submit papers from any authorised dealer rather than only original manufacturers, while maintaining minimum standards to ensure post-sale service for consumers.

To address concerns over unsold stock, the BTRC said unsold or stored handsets would be connected to the network through IMEI registration upon payment of a nominal duty, even without full documentation. Handsets currently in the import pipeline would also be brought under the network.

However, the regulator rejected demands to allow the import of used mobile phones, saying the issue falls outside its jurisdiction and requires approval from the Ministry of Commerce.

Officials warned that the quality of used handsets cannot be reliably verified, exposing consumers to potential fraud and substandard service.

The BTRC also responded to concerns raised on social media following the NEIR rollout. Reports of multiple illegal or "unstructured" IMEI numbers were attributed to cloned, used or refurbished handsets already in circulation, which the system aims to prevent from reconnecting in the future.

Concerns over large numbers of SIMs or devices appearing under a single national ID were explained as the result of historical data being displayed.

The regulator said it is working with mobile operators so that users will eventually see only currently active devices. Delays in receiving one-time passwords during registration were attributed to a surge in requests, while authorities assured the public that all customer data remains secure.

Despite the government's reassurances, trader leaders said protests would continue unless further reforms are made. They maintain that while they support the NEIR initiative in principle, its implementation requires adjustment to protect small retailers.

bdsmile@gmail.com, talhabinhabib@yahoo.com