BTRC Building Attacked Amid NEIR Tensions
On January 1, Thursday, at around 4:00 pm, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building in the administrative area of Dhaka came under attack. The assailants smashed windows and damaged the BTRC mosque while employees inside were performing prayers. No injuries have been reported so far.
The violence appears linked to the recently enforced National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) policy, with allegations that “illegal” mobile phone traders orchestrated the attack. Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers hurled bricks from two street sides, with over fifty participants seen near Investment Board Street coordinating the assault. Despite the administrative location, law enforcement was initially absent, and the attackers fled after approximately 15 minutes. Police later deployed additional personnel to secure the area, allowing staff to leave safely.
Earlier protests had taken place outside BTRC, demanding a suspension of NEIR implementation. On December 7, the Mobile Business Community had blocked BTRC’s entrance, but issues were resolved through discussion. This time, however, the protest escalated into violent attacks, with bricks thrown at the building, breaking glass walls, prayer rooms, and training room windows, causing panic among BTRC officials.
The incident follows the expiration of the December 31 deadline for mobile businesses to submit data on unsold or stock phones. Authorities have warned that participants in such violent acts will face legal action, and additional security measures are being enforced.
