Tarique listens to mobile traders’ concerns outside Gulshan office amid NEIR campaign

MBCB holds a human chain, pressing the BNP for NEIR reform ahead of elections

Traders from the informal mobile phone market have demonstrated outside Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan office, pressing for reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) ahead of the general election.

According to his office, the BNP chief noticed the demonstration as he arrived on Sunday, stepped out of his car, and later invited four representatives of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) inside for discussions.

Representatives of the group said Tarique assured them that NEIR reforms would be considered if BNP returned to power.

The NEIR system, which became mandatory on Jan 1, requires all mobile handsets to be registered. Unauthorised phones, often sold through unofficial channels, cannot connect to the country’s networks.

Authorities say illicit devices, including low-quality or smuggled handsets, are used for “fraud and financial crimes”.

The MBCB, opposing the government’s NEIR implementation, staged protests immediately after the system went live, including an attack on the BTRC office on Jan 1, resulting in 45 arrests.

Since then, the group has repeatedly blocked roads, held human chains, and closed shops, demanding the release of detained traders, suspension of NEIR, and permission to import older phones.

Sunday’s protest outside Tarique’s office was part of the ongoing campaign.

Representatives attending the meeting included MBCB central leader and Chattogram Mobile Traders Association President Arifur Rahman, Jamuna Future Park Branch General Secretary Faisal Azad, Organisational Secretary Saiful Islam Rubel, and Jamuna Future Park trader Masudur Rana.

The BNP office, however, did not officially comment on any assurances regarding NEIR reform.