Mobile phone traders across Bangladesh have announced a shutdown of all handset shops from Wednesday, protesting the alleged detention of Sumash Tech CEO Abu Sayeed Piyas by the Detective Branch (DB) of police.
The announcement came from leaders of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) during a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on Wednesday afternoon.
MBCB leaders demanded Piyas’ release within the day, warning that failure to do so would trigger a “strict countrywide movement.”
Quoting family members, traders alleged that DB officers picked up Piyas from his Mirpur-1 residence late Tuesday night. His wife, Sumaiya Chowdhury, told reporters that a group identifying themselves as DB personnel arrived around 3am, took her husband into custody and seized his mobile phone.
So far, police have not issued any statement regarding his detention.
The shutdown threatens to disrupt one of the largest retail networks in the country, covering both authorised franchise outlets and independent phone and gadget shops. Traders say they will not reopen until there is clarity about Piyas’ whereabouts and the rationale behind the detention.
Source: UNB