Tourists stranded at Sajek due to indefinite road blockade

The blockade was called by the Sajek Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association from Sunday morning. With road communications suspended, a number of tourists currently staying in Sajek have been stranded.

Locals said protesters had been burning tyres and staging pickets at several points along the Sajek-Dighinala road, including Gangaram Uchha Bazar. All vehicles travelling between Sajek and Dighinala, including those coming from Baghaichhari, remained off the road.

The blockade was announced in a press release issued on Saturday (October 10).

The statement alleged that an armed group using the name of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) had been repeatedly creating instability in Sajek and threatening and intimidating local residents.

The organisers said they had called the blockade demanding the arrest of those involved in the alleged incidents and effective measures to ensure the safety of local people and their property.

“We have been forced to take this decision because of the oppression by terrorists operating under the name of JSS. Our movement will continue until the government takes visible legal action against them,” said Bijoy Kanti Chakma, member secretary of the Sajek Rights Protection Committee.

Meanwhile, Md Yasin Arafat, a line manager at Sajek tourist centre, said 90 vehicles, including cars, larger vehicles and motorcycles, entered Sajek on Saturday in a government security convoy, carrying more than 900 tourists.

Matijoy Tripura, organising secretary of the Sajek Cottage Owners' Association, said security escorts might operate only once at 2pm on Sunday, instead of the usual two rounds, due to the blockade.

He expressed hope that the convoy would allow tourists to leave Sajek and new visitors to enter the area.

Attempts to contact the officer-in-charge of Sajek Police Station for comment were unsuccessful due to network problems.