The government has strengthened tight security measures inside the secretariat and other public offices given the tense political situation centring the polls-time government.
The ruling Awami League and the opposition BNP are at loggerheads over their respective stance on the issue of interim government.
Intelligent agencies are keeping a close watch on pro-BNP officials and leaders so that they cannot lead to any untoward situation through their demonstration inside the secretariat.
Law enforcement agencies did not allow officials, employees or visitors to gather inside the secretariat on Thursday.
They dispersed the gathering as soon as it was seen.
The public servants working in different ministries and divisions were feeling out of sorts to discharge their duties in the tense situation.
They, however, did not give vent to their feelings and stopped working as they were unaware of facing such situation earlier.
The situation turned ugly after a group of 50 plain-clothes police along with the uniformed ones kept patrolling the secretariat on Thursday as part of their preemptive measures to tackle untoward situation if any at the secretariat.
Witnesses said a group of lawmen began their patrolling at 11am.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Moshiur Rahman of secretariat security police led the patrol team, visiting each and every part of secretariat and dispersing individuals gathering inside.
“Prevention is better than cure,” said Moshiur at his office after the drive.
Police took additional security measures based on information that pro-opposition employees might demonstrate inside the secretariat and unleash chaos, added the official.
State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku said it was the duty as well as responsibility of the lawmen to ensure security of all key point across the state.
The law enforcers kept up their vigilance only to maintain law and order inside the secretariat, added Shamsul.
It was found that a section of officials and employees started leaving their office earlier than the office hour ended.
Seeking anonymity, some officials and employees said they had been observing the situation and were unable to decide what to do as they did not receive any instruction from the high-ups.
They said their bosses were also in the dark and not passing any order to them, they said. The situation would remain so till political uncertainty was resolved, added the officials. In this regard, Shamsul Haque Tuku said there was nothing to be panicked as the lawmen had done their regular work.
