169 Police personnel withdraw from Bangladesh Secretariat

The government is introducing major changes to the security arrangements at the Bangladesh Secretariat. A total of 169 police personnel who were posted to the Secretariat before August 5, 2024, are being withdrawn and replaced with newly appointed officers. So far, 82 personnel have already been transferred.

The information was reported by the Bangla daily Amar Desh on Sunday (July 5).

According to the report, the Ministry of Home Affairs' Security Branch sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) last month reviewing the deployment of police personnel assigned to the Secretariat. The review found that a significant number of officers posted before August 5, 2024, were still serving in the same positions.

The letter stated that personnel assigned to various Secretariat entry gates, sensitive offices of ministries and divisions, and the security of senior government officials should be withdrawn in phases. They will be replaced by newly assigned officers who have received the necessary security clearance and are considered qualified for the responsibilities.

Citing official sources, the report said the transfer list includes three police inspectors, one sergeant, five sub-inspectors (SIs), 16 assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), 12 nayeks (corporal-equivalent ranks), and 132 constables. All of them will be transferred gradually.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kazi Abu Sayeed, who oversees security at the Secretariat, said, "So far, 82 police personnel have been replaced. The overall security situation remains good."

Kazi Arifur Rahman, Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat Security Branch at the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that police personnel assigned before August 5, 2024, are being withdrawn in phases, while new personnel are joining their posts.

At the same time, the Ministry of Home Affairs is implementing several measures to make the Secretariat's security system more effective, technology-driven, and accountable in the long term. These include tighter visitor control, digital identity verification, installation of additional CCTV cameras, changes to gate management, and modernization of the visitor management system through advanced technological solutions.

According to Ministry of Home Affairs sources, visitors previously needed only a name and a mobile phone number to receive a one-time password (OTP) for entry into the Secretariat. Under the new system, however, an OTP will be issued only after verifying both the visitor's National Identity Card (NID) number and the mobile number registered against that NID. Officials believe this will significantly improve identity verification and make it easier to identify visitors whenever necessary.