Four secretariat staff members were taken into police custody on Thursday amid protests demanding a 20% allowance for employees.
The detentions occurred around 3:50pm at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Those detained include Badiul Kabir, president of one faction of the Personal Officers and Employees United Council under the Ministry of Public Administration; Shahin Golam Rabbani, administrative officer and vice president of the same council at the Ministry of Health; Nizamuddin from the Ministry of Health; and an unidentified individual.
The protests escalated after employees blocked Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed inside the secretariat on Wednesday, demanding immediate approval of the allowance. Officials had assured the staff that a government order (GO) would be issued Thursday at 3pm. Following this, employees regrouped at the Badamtoli area of the secretariat.
In response, tight police security had been enforced across the secretariat, particularly around the Ministry of Finance and the Badamtoli area.