The National Board of Revenue (NBR) Reform Unity Council has called for Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s immediate intervention to resolve an escalating standoff at the country’s top revenue agency.

At a press briefing on Thursday at the NBR headquarters, the Council’s President Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabder warned that a nationwide shutdown of customs and tax offices would begin on 28 June unless NBR Chairman Md Abdur Rahman Khan is removed.

“For the last four days, we have been observing sit-ins and pen-down strikes. But given the current situation, we believe only the chief adviser can resolve this deadlock,” said Mr Rikabder.

Security was visibly heightened around the NBR headquarters on Thursday. Personnel from the army, police, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Coast Guard sealed off the building, restricting all access. Rikabder and other protesting officials sat in a demonstration at the main gate after being barred from entry. Several commissioners joined them on the adjacent pavement.

Condemning the security measures, Rikabder said, “The entire NBR has been locked down. No staff or officials were allowed to enter. This is unacceptable.”

Drawing comparisons with past political unrest, he added, “The fascist Awami government couldn’t crush the July uprising, nor will they be able to silence this call for reform.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance said it had invited a delegation for talks with the Finance Adviser on Thursday. The Council, however, declined to attend, citing the lack of a formal invitation.