Journalists denied entry at Secretariat; no prior notice issued

Despite a visitor entry ban issued yesterday due to ongoing protests by government employees, no prior notice was given regarding media access to the Secretariat.

As a result, journalists are arriving at the gates this morning but they denied entry.

Only Secretariat staff and those invited to official meetings have been allowed inside.

Security has been significantly heightened at all entrances, with law enforcement agencies deployed across the complex.

Employees at the Secretariat had announced the continuation of their protest for the fourth consecutive day today, demanding the withdrawal of the Public Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

Sources inside the Secretariat have confirmed that employees are continuing their protests.

An employee from Building No 4, speaking to The Daily Star on condition of anonymity over the phone, said that the number of employees present today is even higher than the past three days.

They added that unless the government provides a concrete assurance, the protest will continue.

Around 10:30am today, members of the specialised SWAT unit and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were seen deployed at Gate No 2. Additional forces from the Armed Police Battalion (APBn), Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), and other units were also present around the area. Two armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were stationed opposite the main gate.

While the Ministry of Home Affairs announced yesterday that all visitor access to the Secretariat would be suspended today, no clarification was issued on why journalists were being denied entry.

Contacted around 10:45am, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Secretariat Security) Billal Hossain told The Daily Star, "I am following orders from the higher authorities."

He declined to comment further.

As of 12:00pm, reporters were still not being allowed into the Secretariat.

The protests were sparked after the proposed Government Service (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 was approved by the advisory council last Thursday and enforced on Sunday night.

The ordinance includes provisions allowing the government to impose severe disciplinary action against employees deemed disruptive to official work—without prior investigation—through two separate 14-day notices.