DHAKA, Jan 02, 2026 (BSS)- Police an overnight raid have arrested 45 people in connection with vandalism of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building.

Officer-In-Charge of Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Mohammad Monirul Islam Monir said Assistant Director of BTRC's Legal and Licensing Department Muhammad Ashrafuzzaman Zahed filed a case today against 54 persons and 500 to 600 others unknown in this connection.

According to the case details, a large number of people gathered at the BTRC bhaban yesterday and vandalized it over the introduction of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system, causing damage to about Taka 2.01 crore.

The case details said a apart from ravaging the the BTRC Bhaban the unruly people also vandalized a 51-seater AC staff bus (Dhaka Metro-B-15-7035).

It said that a section of people related to the mobile phone business had been protesting for a long time against the introduction of the NEIR system. 

Despite several meetings with the BTRC chairman regarding their demands, the NEIR system was officially launched on January 1 as per the final decision of the government. 

Police said all of 45 persons were picked up by law enforcing ag4encies from the scene. During interrogation, the arrested people disclosed the names of nine more persons who are absconding.

The government launched the NEIR system from January 1 aimed at effectively curbing the use of illegal and unofficial mobile phone handsets.