Dhaka, Dec. 10 -- Mobile phone traders linked with the "unofficial" handset market have blocked the Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel intersection in Dhaka.

At 6.15pm on Wednesday, Tejgaon Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Fazlul Karim said all surrounding roads had been closed to traffic because of the blockade.

He added that efforts were under way to persuade the demonstrators to clear the area.

The traders have been demonstrating for several days against the National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) system.

On Wednesday evening, they also blocked SAARC Fountain crossing in Karwan Bazar as part of their ongoing protest.

The NEIR system, scheduled to come into effect on Dec 16, will prevent illegally imported phones from bei...