The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA) on Tuesday demanded an impartial investigation into recent incidents of mobile handset explosions across the country, along with punitive action against those responsible and adequate compensation for victims.
In a statement, the association expressed deep concern, grief and anxiety over the deaths and injuries caused by a series of handset explosions in different parts of Bangladesh, saying the incidents have raised serious questions about the safety of millions of mobile phone users nationwide.
No negligence can be tolerated when it comes to human life and safety, the organisation said, calling for the actual cause of each incident to be established through an impartial, scientific and technical investigation.
It added that no party should be declared guilty or absolved of responsibility before the completion of such a probe.
The association pointed to longstanding consumer complaints regarding the quality and safety standards of mobile handsets, batteries and chargers that are manufactured, assembled and imported in the country.
It stressed the need for an independent examination of whether locally assembled or manufactured devices comply with quality control and safety standards, while also safeguarding the interests of manufacturers that maintain international standards.
The BMPCA said brands whose handsets have been involved in explosion incidents must fully cooperate with the investigation and ensure accountability regarding the safety of their devices.
It further said that if the probe finds evidence of manufacturing defects, quality control failures or safety negligence on the part of any brand, manufacturer, assembler, importer or other related entity, strict action must be taken against them under existing laws.
The organisation also called for appropriate compensation for victims and the families of the deceased, along with the recall of defective devices from the market wherever necessary.
In its statement, the BMPCA urged the government to immediately form a high-level independent investigation committee, conduct a full probe involving the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and relevant technology experts, intensify quality checks on mobile phones, batteries and chargers sold in the market, and launch special drives against unauthorised and substandard products.
It further demanded that international safety standards be made mandatory for local manufacturing and assembly units, and that an effective complaint and redress mechanism be introduced for consumers.
The association called on the government to give top priority to the issue in the interest of public life and safety, take swift and effective measures, publish the investigation report, and bring those responsible to justice.
It also emphasised the need to formulate and implement a coordinated national action plan to prevent such accidents in the future.