Dhaka, Aug 21 (V7N) – The Bangladesh Secretariat, a key point installation (KPI) critical to the nation's administrative operations, is facing unprecedented security challenges due to a surge in protests. Demonstrations by various groups, including government and non-government employees, have become a daily occurrence since the interim government took over after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's administration.
 
The Secretariat, typically a fortress of security, has seen daily protests that have raised alarms among officials. The normally secure area has been disrupted by rallies and human chains, as disgruntled employees demand promotions and benefits denied under the previous Awami League government. "We’ve never seen such breaches of security at the Secretariat before. This is deeply troubling," said a concerned official.
 
Tensions escalated this week when hundreds of HSC exam candidates stormed the Secretariat, forcing their way through the Zero Point gate despite police resistance. The students, protesting the continuation of their exams, gathered outside the Education Secretary’s office and successfully pushed for the cancellation of their remaining exams. However, they maintained a blockade until an official notification was issued.
 
Inside the Secretariat, officials who missed out on promotions under the former administration are also staging protests. A significant rally on August 6 saw around 200 officials presenting lists for overdue promotions. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Secretariat Anti-Discrimination Employee Association has presented a six-point demand to the interim government, calling for various upgrades in official ranks.
 
In response, the interim government has begun addressing these grievances, promoting some officials to higher ranks and working on other demands. However, unrest continues with planned strikes by Election Commission Secretariat employees demanding the transfer of the National ID system and regularization of outsourced staff.
 
Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, criticized the disruption caused by student protests, calling for a more orderly approach to address grievances. “Such actions undermine the evaluation process,” Abdullah said, urging patience and legal action against those seeking to destabilize the system.
 
As the interim government grapples with these challenges, the situation at the Secretariat highlights the broader unrest and the need for effective conflict resolution in these turbulent times.
 
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