Mobile phone retailers blocked the road in front of Jamuna Future Park on Tuesday, demanding the withdrawal of the 57% tax on unregistered handset imports and reforms to the NEIR registration system, triggering a severe gridlock on Progoti Sarani.
The blockade began around 12:40pm, after which traders also announced an indefinite closure of mobile phone markets across the country.
Retailers said excessive taxation has severely disrupted the normal buying and selling of mobile phones. The 57% tax, they claimed, has pushed the prices of imported handsets to "abnormal levels", hurting both consumers and traders.
They added that complications in the NEIR process, including delays in registration, devices being blocked due to incorrect IMEI numbers, and other bureaucratic obstacles, have fuelled longstanding frustration within the business community.
"The markets will remain closed until our demands are met. If a fair solution is not given, we will take even tougher action," traders said.
The shutdown has caused suffering for customers, many of whom found shops unexpectedly closed. Commuters also faced heavy delays due to the road blockade.
Authorities are aware of the situation, and traders said they expect the government to review their demands promptly so business can resume.
Confirming the road blockade, Inspector (Investigation) Mostafizur Rahman of Vatara Police Station said, "Mobile traders blocked the road at 12:40pm. As of 2pm, traffic is halted on both sides in front of Jamuna Future Park."
However, the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh later announced a temporary postponement of their previously declared peaceful human chain programme in a Facebook post at 1.30pm.
In a statement, the association said the decision was taken "out of humanitarian and national responsibility" due to the deteriorating health of former three-time prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, noting the movement of "distinguished persons and physicians from home and abroad" to and from the hospital.
The statement added, "At this nationally sensitive moment, maintaining peace, discipline, and humanity is the duty of every citizen. We want to clearly state to the Bangladesh government, with respect, that our movement is not to create any disorder. Our movement is for our fair and logical demands."
The group warned that if their demands are not met within a realistic timeframe, they will announce their next programme, "A 'Long March to Dhaka' with participation from mobile traders across the country."
