Sajek groups call indefinite road blockade

Two organisations in Sajek, Rangamati, have announced an indefinite blockade of the tourist road from Sunday, demanding the removal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) from the area.

The Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Gana Adhikar Rakkha Committee announced the programme in a joint statement issued on Saturday, signed by New Joy Chakma, president of the association, and Babun Chakma, convener of the committee.

The organisations had issued a 48-hour ultimatum at a rally in Ultarajare on October 8, asking the armed JSS members to leave Sajek. As the deadline passed without their withdrawal, the groups decided to enforce the blockade from 7:00am on Sunday.

They urged transport owners and workers not to operate vehicles on the tourist road during the blockade and asked tourists and members of the public to avoid using it. They also called on the government and the Bangladesh Army to take immediate steps to remove the armed members and ensure residents' safety.

In the statement, the organisations alleged that armed JSS members arrived by vehicle from the Daripara area on the evening of August 30, got off beside the Machang Army Camp and took positions at different locations.

They claimed that violence, disorder and damage to villagers' property had occurred in several places since then. They also alleged that a person named Kamita Tripura was seriously injured in indiscriminate gunfire by members of the group.