Dhaka, Dec 27 (V7N) — In an effort to bolster security at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the government has cancelled all temporary entry passes, including accreditation cards for journalists, until further notice.

The decision was announced in a press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs on Friday, following a major fire that broke out at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

The notification stated that only permanent passes under the Digital Access Control System, issued to officials and employees working in the Secretariat, as well as temporary passes for government officials, will remain valid. All other temporary passes for private individuals have been suspended.

The Ministry also clarified that journalists’ accreditation cards for access to the Secretariat have been cancelled. Affected individuals, including journalists, can apply for new temporary entry passes through a special cell established at the police's Crime Command and Control Center within the next 15 days.

This heightened security measure aims to ensure the safety and integrity of the Secretariat premises while addressing any potential vulnerabilities exposed by the recent fire.

END/MSS/AJ