Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati, has been reopened for tourists four days after its temporary closure over security concerns.
Tourists will face no restrictions on visiting Sajek from October 16 to 21. The decision was taken to allow tourists to visit the area during the Sharadiya Durga Puja festival.
In an emergency public notice signed by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi today, all tourist spots in Sajek Valley were declared open to visitors. The new notice modified the directives issued in an earlier public notice on October 11.
Earlier, the district administration had announced the temporary suspension of tourist entry and tourism activities in Sajek Valley from 6:00 pm on October 11, until further notice.
Tourists staying in Sajek were also instructed to leave the area by 5:00 pm on October 13 and return safely to their respective destinations.
Before the district administration announced the decision, the Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee had launched an indefinite road blockade from the morning of October 11.
The blockade left many vehicles, including tourist buses and other tourist-carrying vehicles, stranded on their way to and from Sajek. As a result, tourists, including women and children, suffered.
The protesters later suspended the blockade following discussions with the administration.
With the issuance of the new public notice, the tourist spots in Sajek Valley have reopened to visitors.
The decision is expected to bring relief to tourism-related businesses and prospective travellers ahead of the Durga Puja holidays, reports BSS.