On the first day after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, a tense atmosphere prevailed at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Attendance of officers and employees in the ministry offices was significantly low, and ministers and MPs were notably absent. Those who did come to work were filled with fear and anxiety.
Tension arose at the Secretariat at around 11:30am. It was reported that the central office of the Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue was set on fire the previous night, with looting and vandalism taking place.
The smell of the fire from the Awami League office in the morning could be sensed from the Secretariat, increasing the fear among the officers and employees.
Many people were leaving the Secretariat out of fear.
There were also rumors among employees that the office had been closed.
However, some officers and employees believed that leaving the Secretariat in this situation could be exploited by miscreants, potentially damaging important state documents. Therefore, they preferred to stay at the office.
Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) announced that a curfew would be in effect from midnight on Monday until 6am on Tuesday.
Later, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, private institutions, factories, schools, colleges, madrasas, and universities reopened on Tuesday morning.
Previously, the Ministry of Public Administration had declared a three-day general holiday starting Monday.
However, despite the cancellation of the general holiday and the resumption of office activities, the Secretariat remained tense.
The entry passes to the Secretariat were cancelled on Tuesday. Only a small number of police officers were seen on duty at the main gate, accompanied by army personnel.
Army members were also seen on duty alongside police officers at the Home Ministry office.
When asked for comments, various officials at the Secretariat declined to speak.
An official, wishing to remain anonymous, said: "We are employees of the republic. We will work according to the instructions of whoever is in government. Currently, we are working under the directives of the secretary."
Activities at the Secretariat began at 9am AM as per instructions. Many secretaries had arrived at their offices but were spending time discussing recent events among themselves.
Senior secretaries were reportedly in an informal meeting with the cabinet secretary.
Meanwhile, banners and festoons related to the mournful month of August were removed, and pictures of Sheikh Hasina were taken down from various offices.
However, the nameplates of ministers and state ministers remained.
