Indefinite road blockade announced in Sajek

The Sajek Karbari Association and Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee have announced an indefinite blockade of the tourist road in Sajek, Khagrachhari, from 6:00am on Sunday, demanding the withdrawal of armed members of the JSS Santoo faction from the area.

The announcement was made in a joint statement issued on Saturday by the organisations’ president, Notun Joy Chakma, and convener, Babudhan Chakma.

According to the statement, the organisations issued a 48-hour ultimatum at a rally in Ujho Bazar in Sajek on October 8, demanding the withdrawal of the armed members. They announced the blockade after the demand was not met within the stipulated time.

The organisations alleged that armed members of the JSS had been stationed in various parts of Sajek since August 30, threatening residents and damaging property. They also claimed that a nine-year-old girl, Kosmita Tripura, had been injured by gunfire from the armed members.

Ambulances carrying patients, Fire Service vehicles and vehicles carrying journalists will remain exempt from the blockade, the statement said.

The organisations also urged transport owners and workers, tourists and the public to refrain from using the Sajek tourist road during the blockade.

Sajek Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Toffazzal Hossain said police had not been formally notified of the blockade, although the organisations had earlier issued an ultimatum.

Tourist movement remained normal, he said, adding that the number of local vehicles operating in the area had declined somewhat.

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