DHAKA: A high-powered committee established to investigate the recent fire at the Bangladesh Secretariat has updated its schedule and is set to present its initial findings to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus tomorrow. The committee, initially expected to deliver its report today, will now meet with the Chief Adviser at 5 p.m. on Tuesday after revising its timeline.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government’s decision to form an eight-member probe body on December 26, 2024, came in response to the Secretariat fire, with a directive to deliver a preliminary report within three days. The senior secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs was appointed as the head of the committee, tasked with uncovering the cause and details of the incident.
The committee comprises several senior officials and experts, including the secretary of the Housing and Public Works Ministry, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the chief of fire service defense, who serves as the member secretary. To bolster the investigative process, the team also includes an explosives expert from the armed forces and three specialists in civil, chemical, and electronic engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology: Dr. Tanvir Mansur, Dr. Yasir Arafat, and Yasir Arafat.
The Secretariat fire has raised significant concerns, prompting urgent action from the government to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident. The findings of this initial report are anticipated to provide important insights and guidance for any necessary remedial actions to prevent future occurrences.