Gunfire erupts in Sajek as blockade strands tourists
Photo: Agamir Somoy
Gunfire between the Army and armed group occurred in the Ujo Bazar area along the Sajek road in Baghaichari, Rangamati amidst an ongoing blockade on Thursday afternoon.
Sajek Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Tofazzal Hossain confirmed the matter. Detailed information regarding casualties or other damages could not be confirmed immediately.
Earlier, nearly 2,000 tourists were stranded while returning from Sajek. They were returning to Khagrachari from Sajek around 9 am by army and police personnel. However, due to a blockade called by two regional organizations, the tourists became stranded in the Ujo Bazar area around 9:30 am.
Later, the blockaders moved away when members of the law enforcement agencies charged at them with batons. Following this, the tourists left the Ujo Bazar area around 11 am. Police said gunfire broke out between law enforcement forces and the armed group around 11:30 am.
On Wednesday, two organizations named the Sajek Gono-Adhikar Rokkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association announced a third phase of blockade. In a press release, the two organizations said, “The blockade will continue for an indefinite period starting Thursday.”
Meanwhile, the Rangamati District Administration has temporarily suspended travel to Sajek Valley.
An emergency public notice signed by Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi added, “Due to unavoidable reasons, tourist travel to Sajek Valley under Baghaichari Upazila in Rangamati District has been restricted, and the Sajek tourism center has been declared closed from Wednesday evening until further notice.”
