Dhaka, April 6 -- From top advisors to office assistants, government staff across the board have begun returning to work at the Secretariat after a nine-day Eid holiday.

Attendance was relatively low during the first hour on Sunday, the first official working day after the long break. The last working day before Eid was Mar 27, when attendance was also sparse.

Many officials were seen arriving directly from their hometowns. Entry protocols at the Secretariat gates were relaxed, with ID checks being less strict than usual.

"I came straight from the launch terminal to the office. I'm not even sure which bag has my ID," Sabina Yasmin, an office assistant, told security at the entrance.

A police officer on duty responded, "I recognise you...