Mobile phone traders today staged a sit-in in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building, while another group blocked the Agargaon intersection, disrupting traffic. 

The protesters are demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system and unrestricted access to mobile phone imports.

Under the banner of "Mobile Business Community Bangladesh," the traders began gathering around 10:00am on the road adjacent to BTRC building, causing traffic disruption on one side, said Monirul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

The demonstration was continuing as of around 12:30pm, the OC added.

Traders also observed what they described as a "nationwide shutdown", demanding lower import taxes, more favourable business conditions for mobile handsets, and the withdrawal of the planned NEIR implementation.

Arafat Hossain, a mobile phone shop owner at Bashundhara City in Dhaka, said, "We want our demands to be met through a peaceful movement."

He claimed that if the added taxes are applied to the base price of a phone, the retail price becomes very high.

"This is causing losses for our business. This movement is not only for us but also for our customers," he added.

The NEIR system, scheduled to come into effect on December 16, is designed to identify and block stolen or unauthorised mobile phones using International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers -- a unique 15-digit code assigned to each device.

Protesters alleged that the rollout of the NEIR system would negatively affect hundreds of thousands of traders and their families across the country. They also claimed the policy would benefit a specific group of businesses, while additional taxes and restrictions would increase mobile phone prices for consumers.

Sahidul Islam, an engineer, said he was heading to Dhaka Cantonment for some work but had been stuck on the road for over an hour and a half.

"I've seen many people around me asking the protesters to let their cars pass, but no one has agreed," he added.