Dhaka, June 26 (V7N) — A violent clash between rival groups over control of a staff canteen inside the Bangladesh Secretariat has disrupted a high-level meeting scheduled to discuss the controversial Government Job (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.

According to sources, the altercation broke out around 8 PM on Tuesday at Canteen No. 4, operated by the Bangladesh Secretariat Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd.. The conflict stems from an internal power struggle between the outgoing and newly-formed management committees of the canteen.

During the clash, Md. Nurul Islam, President of one faction of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unified Council and Co-Chairman of the newly formed Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum, was seriously injured and admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. At least six others sustained minor injuries and received first aid.

The incident forced the postponement of Wednesday’s scheduled dialogue between Unity Forum leaders and a high-level government committee assigned to review objections related to the proposed amendment to civil service rules.

Background of the Dispute

Speaking to journalists, Badiul Kabir, Co-Chairman of the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum, alleged that on June 19, followers of Nurul Islam forcibly took control of Canteen No. 4 by breaking its locks. He also claimed another shop was similarly occupied. According to Kabir, the legitimate committee elected to run the cooperative society has been sidelined and replaced by handpicked individuals, despite a stay order issued by the High Court regarding the management dispute.

Kabir firmly stated, “Secretariat employees will never side with illegal occupiers, but we will remain committed to our rightful demands.”

Nazrul Islam, Co-Secretary General of the Unity Forum, also told journalists that a crucial meeting with the government committee was expected to assess the objections to the 2025 ordinance. “The meeting was not held, and we were not informed of the reason by the committee,” he added.

Sources close to the matter confirmed that the meeting was canceled due to the injury of Nurul Islam and Mujahidul Islam Selim, another forum leader, both of whom were involved in the incident.

Unity Forum’s Official Statement

In a formal statement issued on Wednesday, the Secretariat Officers and Employees Unity Forum expressed deep concern and outrage over the incident. The forum stated, “An unfortunate incident occurred inside the Secretariat due to a dispute between the old and new committees managing the canteen. Our Co-Chairman Md. Nurul Islam was seriously injured. We are shocked and angered by this attack.”

The Unity Forum clarified that it has no connection with the ongoing internal conflict within the Multipurpose Cooperative Society and remains focused solely on its movement to revoke the Government Job (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.

Calling for unity, the forum urged all Secretariat employees to rise above division and factionalism and to continue the collective struggle for fair employment policy reforms.

END/MRB/SMA/