Mobile traders clash with police in Karwan Bazar

“We have used sound grenades to disperse the protesters,” says Deputy Commissioner Fazlul Karim

The mobile phone traders have engaged in a clash with police in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar.

On Sunday, police intervened when traders attempted to block the road. This sparked a chase and counter-chase, after which police used tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse the protesters.

“We have used sound grenades to disperse the protesters,” said Fazlul Karim, deputy commissioner (additional) of the Tejgaon Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Due to the situation, traffic movement through the Karwan Bazar intersection was disrupted for some time. Later, army members were working at the scene. The protesters then gathered in front of the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex.

The “grey market” mobile phone traders have been staging protests against the launch of the National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR).