An indefinite road blockade enforced by two organisations began in Sajek, under Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila, at 6:00am on Sunday, disrupting traffic on the main road leading to the popular Ruilui tourist destination.
Since morning, protesters have demonstrated at various points along the road, placing tree trunks across it and setting tyres on fire to enforce the blockade.
They have also been preventing vehicles from passing.
The blockade was called by the Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Gana Adhikar Committee (People’s Rights Protection Committee).
Tuntu Moni Chakma, president of the Khagrachhari Mahindra Owners Welfare Cooperative Association, said the blockade had disrupted tourist travel during the peak season.
“This is the peak tourist season. On average, around 2,500 tourists travel to Sajek every day in about 30 Mahindra vehicles and jeeps.
Many tourists also set off from Khagrachhari town for Sajek this morning. Because of the blockade, they could not travel beyond Baghaihat. However, they are expected to be taken to Sajek under the escort of security forces at around 2:00pm,” he told Prothom Alo.
Rahul Chakma, organising secretary of the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association, said some tourists had left Sajek the previous day after learning about the planned blockade, while others had arrived.
“Altogether, around 3,000 tourists are currently staying in Sajek,” he said.
He added that no vehicles carrying tourists had left Sajek for Khagrachhari in the morning. Tourist vehicles were expected to depart at 2:00pm.
Babudhan Chakma, convener of the Sajek Gana Adhikar Committee, said the previously announced blockade had been proceeding peacefully since 6:00am.
Alleging that protesters had faced obstruction while picketing at different locations, he said, “The blockade would continue until our demands were met.”
Sajek Police Station Officer-in-Charge Toffazzal Hossain said no vehicles were operating in the area. He added that tourist vehicles would leave Sajek under security force escort at 2:00pm, while vehicles waiting at Baghaihat would head towards Sajek at the same time.
Why the blockade?
The Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Gana Adhikar Committee have alleged that the regional political organisation Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS), led by Santu Larma, has begun armed activities in Sajek and is threatening and intimidating local residents.
The two organisations held a rally last Thursday and set a deadline for action against those allegedly responsible. They called the indefinite road blockade after claiming that no action had been taken within the stipulated period.
JSS, however, has rejected the allegations of threatening and intimidating local residents, describing them as baseless. The organisation claimed that the two groups had announced the blockade under pressure from the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF).
Sajib Chakma, publicity secretary of JSS, told Prothom Alo, “These allegations are being raised to divert attention from the long-standing oppression and harassment of innocent people in Sajek by armed UPDF members.”
Asked for comment, UPDF spokesperson Angya Marma denied that any organisation had called the blockade under pressure from the UPDF.
However, he said the UPDF would support the programme announced by the two organisations on behalf of local residents.
The blockade has disrupted road communications to Sajek, leaving tourists facing uncertainty over their travel plans as the protesters vow to continue the programme until their demands are met.