Khagrachhari:Vehicular movement on the main road connecting Khagrachhari with the popular tourist destination Sajek in Rangamati has been halted since Sunday morning, as two organizations enforced an indefinite blockade, leaving tourists stranded.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the blockade began at 600 am on the Baghaihat-Sajek road. Protesters placed tree trunks across the road and burned tyres at several points to enforce the shutdown. The Sajek Karbari Association and Sajek Gono Odhikar Roksha Committee are demanding the removal of armed members of the Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) from Sajek.
Locals have indicated that the protest aims to ensure lasting peace in the area and enhance the safety of ordinary residents. In a joint statement, the two organizations announced that ambulances, fire service vehicles, and those used by journalists are exempt from the blockade to minimize public suffering.
On October 8, the organizations issued a 48-hour ultimatum at a rally in Ujjo Bazar in Sajek, demanding action against the JSS armed members. With their demands unmet, the blockade was enforced. The organizations reported that JSS armed members have been present in different parts of Sajek since August 30, posing threats to local residents and damaging property. They have urged transport owners, workers, tourists, and the general public to avoid using the Sajek tourist road during the blockade.
Officer-in-Charge of Sajek Police Station, Mohammad Toffazzal Hossain, stated that police were not formally notified of the blockade despite the prior ultimatum. He mentioned that efforts are underway to maintain tourist transportation, though local vehicle movement has decreased. Tourists were escorted out of Sajek at 230 pm on Sunday, while visitors traveling to Sajek from Khagrachhari through Dighinala were also being escorted to their destination.