Rival groups trade accusations over armed activities as blockade disrupts tourist movement
A rivalry between the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) and the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) has heightened tensions in Sajek, prompting the Rangamati administration to close the popular tourist destination indefinitely on security grounds.
The escalating dispute came to the fore on Sunday when two local organisations enforced an indefinite blockade on the Baghaihat-Sajek road, accusing JSS armed members of threatening residents and engaging in extortion. The JSS rejected the allegations, instead accusing the UPDF of long-standing oppression and harassment of ordinary people in the area.
Against this backdrop of competing allegations, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi issued an emergency public notice on Sunday evening, suspending tourist entry into and stay in Sajek from 6:00pm until further notice.
Tourists currently staying in the area have been instructed to leave by 5:00pm on Tuesday and return safely to their respective destinations.
The blockade, called by the Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Gana Adhikar Rakkha Committee, began at 6:00am on Sunday. Protesters placed tree trunks across the road and burned tyres at several points, disrupting traffic and leaving tourist vehicles stranded for hours.
Police and army personnel held discussions with the protesters and brought the situation under control around 5:30pm, allowing vehicular movement to resume.
The two organisations are demanding the removal of JSS armed members from Sajek, claiming their presence has threatened local residents and damaged property. They said the armed members had been staying in different parts of the area since August 30.
On October 8, the organisations issued a 48-hour ultimatum at a rally in Ujjo Bazar, Sajek, demanding action against the JSS members. They launched the blockade after their demands went unheeded, according to the organisers.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the organisations said ambulances, fire service vehicles and vehicles carrying journalists would remain exempt from the blockade to minimise public suffering. They also urged tourists, transport operators and the general public to avoid the Sajek tourist road.
The JSS, however, dismissed the allegations against its members and claimed the two organisations had called the blockade under pressure from the UPDF.
Speaking to journalists, JSS Information and Publicity Secretary Sajib Chakma said the allegations were intended to divert attention from what he described as longstanding oppression and harassment of ordinary people in Sajek by armed UPDF members.
UPDF spokesperson Angya Marma denied that his organisation had pressured the two groups into enforcing the blockade. He said the UPDF supported their programme, describing it as an initiative taken in the interests of ordinary people.
Babudhan Chakma, convener of the Sajek Gana Adhikar Rakkha Committee, said the organisations had placed three demands before the administration and received assurances that the issues would be considered. The protest was subsequently suspended for 48 hours, he said.
Officer-in-Charge of Sajek Police Station Mohammad Toffazzal Hossain said police had not been formally notified of the blockade, although the organisers had earlier issued an ultimatum.
Police were making efforts to keep tourist transport running, but the movement of local vehicles had declined to some extent, he said.
Tourists were escorted out of Sajek at 2:30pm on Sunday, while visitors travelling from Khagrachhari through Dighinala were also being escorted to the destination, the officer added.
The latest developments highlight the continuing security challenges in Sajek, where competing allegations involving the JSS and UPDF have heightened concerns over the safety of local residents and disrupted tourism. The district administration’s closure order has effectively halted tourist access to the area until further notice.
