Dhaka, June 15 -- The Bangladesh Secretariat, the nerve centre of the government administration, has reopened after a 10-day break for Eid-ul-Azha.

Employees and workers began filing into the Secretariat on Sunday morning. Colleagues embraced and exchanged greetings after the extended holidays.

Though the offices had been roiled by protests ahead of the break, a more joyous atmosphere prevailed as they reopened.

Mujahidul Islam Selim, a protest leader, said: "There are no [protest] programmes today. Today, we only have embraces."

"We will announce tomorrow's programme after discussing it with everyone."

Government workers received a 10-day public holiday for Eid-ul-Azha from Jun 5 to Jun 14 this year.

Eid day fell on Jun 7 in Bangla...