Dhaka, Jan. 5 -- Bangladesh's newly launched National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system has sparked widespread protests by mobile phone traders, leading to clashes on the streets of Dhaka.

While traders have demanded the withdrawal or postponement of the system, the government has firmly ruled out shutting it down, insisting that key demands have already been addressed through tax cuts and regulatory concessions.

The unrest escalated on Sunday as mobile phone traders enforced a nationwide shutdown and staged sit-ins at several key points in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, Sonargaon intersection and the Bashundhara City area.

Police moved to clear road blockades after issuing repeated warnings, leading to clashes that left ...