Traffic in the capital’s Karwan Bazar returned to normal on Sunday afternoon after mobile phone traders withdrew their blockade following hours of clashes with law enforcement agencies.
The traders began a sit-in by blocking the Karwan Bazar road around 10:30am, protesting the introduction of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system and demanding the release of those arrested over an attack on the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building.
Police later launched operations to clear the road, with members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the army joining the effort.
Around 11:30am, police initially dispersed the protesters with baton charges. However, a section of traders returned to the road at noon, prompting the use of water cannons.
As tensions escalated, police again resorted to baton charges, sound grenades and tear gas shells. During the clashes, protesters allegedly threw bricks at law enforcers, leading to a chase and counter-chase. Several people were detained in the process.
By around 2pm, the traders finally left the road, and traffic gradually resumed, becoming normal by about 2:30pm.
The prolonged blockade caused severe disruption, leaving commuters stranded and triggering traffic congestion in several parts of the city, including Rampura, Mohakhali and Uttara.
Later, at around 3pm, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ramna Division) Masud Alam held talks with the traders, during which they placed their demands. He assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to higher authorities.
“With the upcoming elections, we must ensure that the law and order situation does not deteriorate,” he said. “We will inform our superiors about your issues and efforts will be made to resolve them.”
According to the traders’ organisation, Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), the sit-in was announced alongside an indefinite shutdown of mobile phone shops nationwide.
The NEIR system, officially launched on January 1, aims to curb the use of illegal and unofficial handsets by registering all IMEI numbers in a national database—a move that traders have opposed since its introduction.
