Explosive detectors, closed-circuit television and scanner will be installed and dog squad will be deployed at the Secretariat, the government's administrative headquarters. Several explosive detector archways have already been set up there.

The rush of visitors to the Secretariat will be controlled and no one will be allowed to enter the Secretariat with entry pass, an emergency meeting of secretaries decided yesterday, apart from taking other decisions to tighten security.

The meeting was convened in the wake of growing fear of bomb attacks and the movement of militants at the Secretariat. Even there are whispers that some government officials and employees are also linked with the militants.

"All irrespective of their ranks will have to go through security checking from now on," LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, who chaired the meeting at the home ministry conference room, told reporters.

"Sometimes so many entry passes are issued that it becomes impossible for the ministers and secretaries to work. There must be a control over issuing pass," Bhuiyan said.

The minister said all vehicles will be checked at the Secretariat gate, though many ministers and senior officers are of the view that their vehicles should not be checked.

"You see, all ministers and secretaries in other countries of the world have to go through security checking. But the sentiment here is different," Bhuiyan said.

All who work at the Secretariat and all the visitors will have to carry pass, he said. The visitors will have to return the pass while leaving. "Action will be taken against those who will enter without pass and those who assist them," said the LGRD minister.

To stop possible entry of explosive substances, all parcels coming through courier service will be received at the Secretariat gate. After scanning of the parcels, designated officials from respective ministries will receive those and distribute later accordingly.

The meeting also discussed the crowd at the Secretariat Clinic where a large number of relatives of the government officials and employees come to see doctors. No one except those who work at the Secretariat will be allowed to go to the clinic, the meeting decided.

The meeting suggested that the relatives of the officials and employees can consult doctors at the Government Railway Hospital near the Secretariat.

The meeting also discussed the cleanliness of the Secretariat and asked the departments to look after their own offices. "Sometimes the lifts do not work, lights remain fused...these will have to be looked after regularly," Bhuiyan told reporters.

State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, Cabinet Secretary Dr Saadat Hossain and Inspector General of Police Abdul Quayum were present at the meeting.

'EGO SHOULD GO'
Ministers and high officials often respond rudely to the security men when they attempt to search their vehicles or ask for pass of the visitors accompanying them.

"This ego should go from every level, and this should begin from the ministers," a minister with important portfolio said on condition of anonymity.

By assisting in security checking, everybody will help strengthen the whole security system at the Secretariat, he said while talking to reporters.

"It will take a long time, but the system has to be introduced gradually. We're trying to build up a sense of security among all," the minister said.

Asked about tracking the militants working secretly, he said the intelligence agencies are working round the clock to keep the Secretariat and the government offices free from the militants. "If anyone is found involved, we'll go for action."