Five Arrested Following Attack on BTRC Building in Agargaon

At least five people have been arrested in connection with an attack and vandalism at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon, an administrative zone of the capital, according to officials. The arrests were made jointly by the army and police at the scene while efforts were underway to bring the situation under control. The identities of those detained were not immediately known.

Meanwhile, BTRC officials said preparations were underway to file a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station over the incident. Once the case is filed, those responsible will be arrested and placed on remand, if necessary, to identify the main perpetrators.

Security at the BTRC building has since been tightened, with police and army personnel deployed at the premises.

Condemning the attack, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, said those involved in such “heinous and anti-state activities” would be identified and brought to justice through due legal process. He also announced that strict operations would be launched at all land ports and airports to curb illegal mobile handset imports.

Vandalism at BTRC Building

According to sources, leaders of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB)—an association of mobile phone and gadget traders—went to the BTRC office on Thursday, January 1, protesting the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) without a reduction in import duties. More than a hundred traders reportedly gathered outside the building at the time.

During the incident, a high-level meeting involving mobile operators and the Election Commission was underway inside the BTRC conference room. MBCB leaders were also holding talks with BTRC officials. While those discussions were ongoing, traders outside allegedly carried out the attack.

BTRC Deputy Director (Media Communication) Zakir Hossain Khan said the attack was completely unexpected. “Such an assault on a regulatory authority is unprecedented in Bangladesh. The representatives of the traders who carried out the attack were actually inside the building in a meeting with us. During that time, others launched a sudden attack outside,” he said.

Asked about possible actions following the incident, Zakir Khan said, “Senior authorities will decide on the next steps.”

Another BTRC official said staff members were offering Asr prayers when they heard stones and bricks being thrown from outside. Around 5:00 pm, multiple army units arrived and took control of the situation. Approximately five individuals were arrested on the spot by the army and police.

DBTech/MU/EK/OR