Restoring security and trust at the heart of governance
The recent spate of security breaches at the Bangladesh Secretariat has raised alarming questions about the safety of the country’s administrative nerve centre.
This newspaper on Wednesday reported that Housing over 43 ministries and divisions, including critical offices such as the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Office Liaison Unit, the Secretariat symbolises the authority and stability of the state. Yet, repeated intrusions, vandalism, and even arson within its premises have exposed glaring weaknesses in its security framework.
Despite being one of the most fortified complexes in the country, with armed police, intelligence officers, and extensive CCTV surveillance, protesters have repeatedly breached the compound over the past year. Incidents involving the Ansar force, HSC students, and other aggrieved groups storming the premises demonstrate a pattern of systemic failure.
The fire at the Local Government Division Ministry, which damaged sensitive records, and the violent aftermath of the Milestone College accident underscore the gravity of these lapses.
Such repeated breaches cannot be dismissed as isolated oversights. When the nation’s administrative hub is left vulnerable, the consequences extend beyond physical damage — it undermines the perception of state authority and governance stability.
The Home Ministry’s response so far has been limited to promises of investigation, with no substantial reforms announced.
This inertia risks emboldening further attacks and deepening public mistrust. Security analysts are calling for modernisation of surveillance systems, including digital gate logs, facial recognition, and drone monitoring.
There is also growing support for forming an independent Secretariat Security Force (SSF) to replace the current fragmented arrangements.
Political commentators argue that lingering remnants of past autocratic influence within the security apparatus may be fuelling unrest, either through negligence or complicity.
A Civil Watchdog Network report highlighted delayed police responses in several incidents, despite prior warnings — raising questions about intent and accountability.
The Secretariat is more than a workplace for civil servants; it is the beating heart of governance. Protecting it must become an urgent national priority.
This requires not just technological upgrades but also structural reform, independent audits, and a zero-tolerance approach to negligence or sabotage.
A failure to act decisively will not only erode public trust but also risk further destabilisation at a time when Bangladesh can least afford it. The integrity of the Secretariat must be safeguarded — swiftly and transparently.