Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb Inspects Vandalised BTRC Building, Vows Legal Action
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for the Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministry, on Sunday inspected the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building that was vandalised during an attack allegedly carried out by so-called ‘illegal’ mobile phone traders.
During the visit, BTRC Chairman Md. Emdad Ul Bari briefed the special assistant on the extent of damage caused to the commission’s facilities.
The inspection took place around 11:00 am on Sunday, January 4, at the BTRC headquarters located in Agargaon’s administrative zone. Posts and Telecommunications Secretary Abdun Naser, ICT Secretary Shish Haider, and other senior officials were present at the time.
Speaking to journalists after the visit, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb assured that those involved in the attack on the BTRC building would be brought to justice. He said that customs duties on mobile handsets had already been reduced in line with traders’ demands and that opportunities had been provided to legalise handsets imported through tax evasion. Despite these concessions, he alleged, sections of mobile phone traders resorted to shutting down shops and blocking roads, effectively seeking a “licence for crime” through disorder.
He further stated that the violent attack on the BTRC building was carried out even after significant reductions in duties on legally imported mobile phones. “Those responsible for this attack will face legal consequences,” he said, adding that the government would take necessary steps to maintain control if such activities continued.
Condemning the incident, the special assistant emphasised that strict measures would be taken to prevent future attacks on state institutions. He also denounced attempts to shut down businesses and disrupt public life in the name of protest.
Addressing concerns over the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said initial technical issues had already been resolved. He rejected allegations of having close ties with mobile phone manufacturers, calling them part of a misinformation campaign by certain traders.
He explained that once the NEIR system is fully implemented, mobile phones imported through illegal channels will no longer be usable in the country, and the illicit trade of second-hand phones brought in from abroad will also come to an end.
Following the enforcement of mandatory handset registration, only government-approved legal devices will be allowed to remain connected to mobile networks. However, he clarified that no phones currently in use will be disconnected if they were activated before the NEIR system comes into effect.
DBTech/AM/UN/OR
