Mobile Traders Protest NEIR and CEO Detention

Mobile phone traders across the nation have initiated a full closure of all handset retail shops starting today (November 19) in protest against two primary issues: the detention of Sumash Tech CEO Abu Sayeed Piyas and the imminent launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.

The Mobile Business Community, Bangladesh (MBCB) announced the nationwide closure. Piyas, who serves as the secretary of MBCB, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) around 3:00 am today.

During a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), MBCB Vice President Shamim Mollah and Chattogram Unit President Arif Hossain alleged that Piyas's detention is an attempt to disrupt their ongoing protest against NEIR, which they claim will severely shrink the mobile market.

MBCB issued a stern warning: if Abu Sayeed Piyas is not released by the end of today (November 19), they will escalate their actions, threatening to launch a "tougher nationwide movement" that will "bring the country to a standstill." Following the briefing, business leaders were observed heading toward the DB office.

The detention of Piyas followed the overnight detention of Mizanur Rahman Sohel (Head of Online at Dainik Bhorer Kagoj and Secretary of the Online Editors Alliance), who was picked up around 12:00 am and released this morning after over ten hours of questioning.

Mizanur claimed he was detained to obstruct the mobile traders' planned anti-NEIR press conference. Journalist Zulkarnain Saer and Mizanur alleged the detention was carried out to benefit a "syndicate" pushing NEIR without proper stakeholder consultation, potentially at the behest of Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.

DB officials, including Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam and DMP Deputy Commissioner Talebur Rahman, declined to comment on either detention. Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam stated he was unaware but would look into the matter.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb and the telecom ministry have strongly rejected all allegations as baseless and politically motivated, asserting that NEIR is being implemented strictly for national security purposes. Faiz stated he has no connection with Mizanur and that law enforcement acts independently.