Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder has clarified no journalist's accreditation card had been cancelled and the confusion over Secretariat access stemmed from temporary restrictions.

 “Many people mistakenly assumed that journalists' accreditation cards have been revoked but this information is not right, no journalist’s accreditation card has been revoked,” he said while briefing reporters outside state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday.

Following a recent announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs, misunderstandings surfaced regarding the temporary restrictions imposed on access to Secretariat, he said.

“An accident occurred at the Secretariat which is currently under investigation. Due to the investigation process, it has become a crime spot and so movements within the Secretariat have been temporarily limited. As part of this, journalists’ access was restricted,” Azad said.

The deputy press secretary said the government is making every effort to resume journalist access to the Secretariat as soon as possible, even on a temporary basis.

“A decision was made today to issue temporary passes starting tomorrow, allowing journalists to enter the Secretariat. Initially, around 200 journalists will receive these passes, including around 60 members who regularly cover Secretariat affairs and 40 cameramen from various television channels.”

BSRF secures temporary secretariat access for journalists

Besides, a grievance cell has been established to address the need of people including journalists requiring Secretariat access and they can apply for temporary passes from this cell if necessary.

Regarding the ongoing investigation into the Secretariat fire incident, the head of the probe committee informed that the preliminary report will be submitted to the Chief Adviser tomorrow, Azad said.

Evidence collected so far is being examined and some of it might be sent abroad for further analysis if needed.

In a press statement on Friday, the Home Ministry imposed a restriction on journalists, even with accreditation cards, from entering the Secretariat, citing security concerns following a recent fire inside it.