The police have ramped up security in and around the secretariat as the country is headed towards political confrontation over the next election.
Surveillance over secretariat officers and employees has also been increased, said intelligence officials.
Besides, there would be increased patrols in and around the secretariat, they said.
Officials said that the watch had been enhanced during the transition to the election with the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP confronting each other over the issue of poll time administration.
The intelligence agencies said a section officials and employees were under the scanner since the 90-day countdown to the election began on October 27.
Security checking at all the entrances to the secretariat has been enhanced to ensure that no unauthorized visitor enters, said a home ministry official.
‘We asked the security personnel to ensure that none without valid entry passes enters,’ he said.
No car without secretariat sticker is allowed entry, he added.
The surveillance was enhanced last week after photocopies of a leaflet, which branded the Sheikh Hasina government as ‘autocratic,’ were found in the secretariat.
The leaflet urged ‘patriotic officers and employees’ to build resistance against the AL-led government.
It named several secretaries and two advisers of the PM, who allegedly made money using their influence.
‘We have tightened surveillance as the government is passing through a transition,’ said additional deputy commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Mashiur Rahman, who looks after secretariat security.
He told New Age that the overall security had been enhanced due to the prevailing situation.
He, however, said the police had been asked to remain alert against any unofficial meetings, mobilization or gatherings at canteens or other places inside the secretariat. (source)