Khairul Alam, Dhaka: A “shutdown” protest is currently underway at the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in Bangladesh, demanding the removal of the NBR Chairman and comprehensive reforms in the revenue sector with the participation of all stakeholders.
Starting Saturday morning, no work has taken place at the NBR headquarters in Dhaka; access to the building has been completely blocked, and all NBR services are suspended for the day.
This protest has also brought all customs houses and customs stations across the country to a standstill, including major hubs like Chattogram Port, Benapole, Hili, Burimari, and Akhaura land ports, as well as the Dhaka Customs House. Consequently, all customs clearance activities for imports and exports have ceased.
The protesting officers and employees began their “March to NBR” program this morning under the banner of the “NBR Reform Unity Council.” Hundreds of officials from Dhaka and other parts of the country gathered in front of the NBR building in Agargaon. All three gates of the NBR are locked, with BGB, police, RAB, and Coast Guard members positioned inside to secure the premises, effectively blockading the NBR office.
Protesters allege that the NBR Chairman has been dishonest instead of resolving issues. In response, a continuous “shutdown” has commenced at all customs and tax offices nationwide from today.
At Chattogram Port, import and export customs clearance stopped at 6 AM today, disrupting cargo handling. Trucks are stranded on roads leading to the port, and vehicles are jammed inside waiting to load goods. Meanwhile, 13 leading business organizations held an emergency press conference in Dhaka this afternoon, stating they do not support the demand for the NBR Chairman’s removal.
At Benapole Land Port, the “complete shutdown” by customs officials has halted all customs clearance, inspection, and loading/unloading activities, causing severe inconvenience for traders and increasing product congestion.
The Mongla Customs House, although physically open as part of the “complete shutdown,” has no services running. Commissioner Md. Shafiuzzaman confirmed that no normal activities are taking place.
At Akhaura Land Port in Brahmanbaria, the “complete shutdown” continues. However, 26 trucks carrying flour and fish managed to cross into India because their paperwork had been signed the previous day.
Similarly, at Sonamasjid Land Port (the country’s second-largest) and Rohanpur Customs Station, all import-export activities are suspended due to the NBR shutdown, leading to product-laden trucks being stuck at “zero point.” Officials and employees have locked the main gate of the customs building at Sonamasjid and hung protest banners.
At Hili Land Port, activities are also suspended due to the “complete shutdown” and “March to NBR” program called by the NBR Reform Unity Council, leaving imported goods-laden trucks awaiting clearance. However, passport holders are still able to cross normally through the Hili Immigration Checkpost, as international services remain active.
In a significant announcement this afternoon, Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar, president of the NBR Reform Unity Council, declared that the “shutdown” and “March to NBR” program will continue tomorrow, Sunday, as well.
He reiterated that revenue reform, as per the government’s press release on May 25, is impossible while the current NBR Chairman remains in office.