Dhaka, Dec. 11 -- The government is sticking to its plan to activate the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on December 16, while allowing the sale of duty-evaded mobile handsets in the market until March next year.

However, this latest development has failed to appease a section of phone traders who rely heavily on the unauthorised handset market.

On Wednesday evening, shortly after a multi-stakeholder meeting at the Secretariat, members of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), an association representing traders accused of selling illegal phones, staged a demonstration near Jamuna Future Park, Bashundhara City and the Kawran Bazar intersection.

Protesters blocked traffic, set fires on the road, and chanted slogans...