Sajek blockade enters 4th day; Tourism businesses face mounting losses

An indefinite road blockade in Sajek in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila entered the fourth consecutive day on Sunday, disrupting transport, shuttering most shops in the Uzobazar area and dealing a blow to local tourism businesses.

The Sajek Gonoodhikar Rokkha Committee and Sajek Karbari Association, which called the blockade, have urged the administration to implement their five-point set of demands. However, uncertainty persists over when the blockade will be withdrawn and how the underlying dispute will be resolved.

Tourist arrivals have virtually ground to a halt following the blockade and recent clashes. Vehicular movement remains suspended on the Sajek road, while most businesses in Uzobazar remain closed.


Nearly 3,000 tourists visiting Sajek faced the prospect of being stranded. Later, 2,933 visitors were escorted towards Khagrachhari under security protection provided by the army and police.


Their demands include: punishment for those allegedly involved in attacks on protesters, withdrawal of related cases and an impartial judicial inquiry into the incident; compensation for traders affected by vandalism and looting in Uzobazar, along with the withdrawal of army and police personnel from the area; payment of medical expenses for injured men and women; removal from Sajek of armed members allegedly aligned with the Sant Larma faction of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS), and an end to violence, extortion and alleged abuses; an end to the arrest and harassment of protesting activists, as well as searches of their homes and business establishments.

The organisations alleged that attacks, vandalism and looting in Uzobazar had caused significant losses for local residents and traders. They further claimed that security concerns had forced some people to leave their homes and businesses and seek shelter elsewhere.

The relevant authorities had not provided a response to these allegations at the time of reporting.

The current impasse follows an earlier indefinite blockade called by the same organisations on October 11. At the time, they raised concerns about the presence of armed groups in Sajek and the security of local residents, while demanding action from the authorities.

That blockade disrupted transport between Sajek and Khagrachhari and left numerous tourists stranded. The administration and security forces subsequently arranged for visitors to leave the area.

The blockade was relaxed from October 16 to 21 during the Durga Puja period, allowing tourist travel to resume. However, the fresh blockade launched on October 22 brought tourism activities to another standstill.

The protesting organisations say they resumed the movement because their demands for a lasting resolution to the problems remain unmet.

With road access disrupted, businesses closed and the prospect of an early resolution still uncertain, Sajek’s tourism-dependent economy faces renewed pressure. The duration of the blockade will largely determine when regular travel and commercial activities can resume.