Dhaka: The Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association (BMPCA) on Tuesday called for an impartial investigation into recent mobile handset explosions across the country. The association demanded punitive action against those found responsible and sought adequate compensation for the victims.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the BMPCA expressed concern over the deaths and injuries resulting from a series of handset explosions in various parts of Bangladesh. These incidents have raised questions about the safety of millions of mobile phone users nationwide. The association emphasized that no negligence should be tolerated when it comes to human life and safety, urging for a thorough, scientific, and technical investigation to determine the cause of each incident.
The BMPCA highlighted ongoing consumer complaints regarding the quality and safety standards of mobile handsets, batteries, and chargers manufactured, assembled, and imported in the country. It called for an independent examination to ensure that locally assembled or manufactured devices comply with quality control and safety standards, while also safeguarding the interests of manufacturers adhering to international standards.
The association insisted that brands involved in explosion incidents must cooperate fully with the investigation and ensure accountability for the safety of their devices. It stated that if the investigation finds evidence of manufacturing defects, quality control failures, or safety negligence, strict action must be taken against those responsible under existing laws.
The organisation also demanded appropriate compensation for victims and the families of the deceased, and the recall of defective devices from the market where necessary. In its statement, the BMPCA urged the government to form a high-level independent investigation committee immediately. It called for the involvement of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), and relevant technology experts in the investigation.
The BMPCA further demanded that international safety standards be mandated for local manufacturing and assembly units and called for the introduction of an effective complaint and redress mechanism for consumers. The association stressed the need for the government to prioritize this issue in the interest of public life and safety, take swift and effective measures, publish the investigation report, and bring those responsible to justice.
Finally, it emphasized the necessity of formulating and implementing a coordinated national action plan to prevent such accidents in the future.