Rangamati:Armed members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) allegedly opened fire on tourists and law enforcement personnel in Sajek, Rangamati, today. This incident left approximately 3,000 tourists stranded before they were evacuated safely to Khagrachhari by the Bangladesh Army and police.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the UPDF members blocked the Sajek-Baghaihat road in the Gangaram Bazar area, allegedly using local residents as human shields, and opened fire. The roadblock disrupted vehicular movement, leading to the stranding of tourists visiting Sajek.
The Bangladesh Army and police implemented security measures to ensure the tourists' safe evacuation. The blockaders obstructed the road around 1000 am, halting tourist vehicle movement. Army and police patrol teams engaged in talks with the blockaders to secure a safe passage for the tourists.
Around 1045 am, the blockaders, allegedly instigated by the UPDF, began throwing brickbats at law enforcement personnel and tourists. The law enforcers dispersed the blockaders through a baton charge, resuming the movement of tourist vehicles.
Later, at approximately 1100 am, armed UPDF members reportedly fired 30 to 40 rounds at law enforcement personnel and tourists. The Army patrol team returned fire in self-defence, forcing the assailants to flee the scene. The stranded tourists were then evacuated safely through coordinated efforts by the Army and police, with no casualties reported.
Preliminary information suggests that the blockade and violence were pre-planned, with the alleged intimidation of local people and their forced use as human shields being particularly alarming. The ISPR expressed serious concern over the risks to tourists and the forced involvement of ordinary people in the blockade.
A section of armed UPDF members, reportedly under pressure from ongoing security operations in different areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts, had taken positions in the tourist area. Such violent activities are disrupting peace and stability in the hill region, adversely affecting tourism and local livelihoods. The Bangladesh Army continues to work with civil administration and law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and protect the lives and property of local residents and tourists.