7-member committee formed to probe Secretariat fire

The government has formed a seven-member committee to investigate the fire incident at Secretariat Building No. 7. Mohammad Khaled Rahim, Additional Secretary of the District and Field Administration Wing of the Cabinet Division, has been appointed as the committee's convener. The Cabinet Division issued the notification regarding the formation of the committee on Thursday.

The committee has been instructed to submit a report within seven working days.

The members of the committee include representatives from the Ministry of Public Security (not below the rank of Joint Secretary), the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (not below the rank of Joint Secretary), the Local Government Division (not below the rank of Joint Secretary), Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate, and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works (not below the rank of Joint Secretary).

The committee is tasked with determining the origin and cause of the fire, as well as investigating whether there is any individual or professional responsibility behind the incident. It will also make recommendations to prevent such accidents in the future.

The committee may include additional members if necessary.