Food, fuel and medicine run low in blockaded Sajek

RANGAMATI, Oct 28: Over 30,000 residents of Sajek in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila are running short of food, fuel and essential medicines as a road blockade entered its seventh consecutive day on Wednesday, cutting off supplies, crippling tourism and deepening fears over emergency healthcare.

The blockade has halted traffic on the road linking Jorabridge in Khagrachhari’s Dighinala upazila with Sajek Valley, disrupting the movement of essential commodities and agricultural produce.

Local grocer Jonsim Chakma said stocks of rice, sugar, lentils and cooking oil had nearly run out in shops, while supplies of diesel and octane had also fallen to critically low levels.

Sajek Union Parishad Chairman Otulal Chakma expressed concern over the growing shortages of food and life-saving medicines. He warned that patients needing emergency treatment and accident victims could be put at serious risk because of the lack of transport.

Residents, including children and elderly people from the Chakma, Tripura, Marma and Lusai communities, are bearing the brunt of the disruption. Farmers are also struggling to transport and sell their jhum crops.

The blockade has brought Sajek’s tourism-dependent economy to a standstill, forcing resorts, cottages, restaurants and small shops to close. Hundreds of workers have lost their regular earnings, while business owners continue to bear rent and maintenance costs.

The Rangamati district administration has suspended tourist visits to Sajek until further notice, citing security concerns.

The blockade was launched by the Sajek Gan Odhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association, which are demanding improved security, the removal of armed group members and an end to alleged harassment of ordinary residents.