48-hour blockade announced again in Sajek

The Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee (CHT Protection Committee) has announced a continuous 48-hour all-out blockade program at Sajek, a tourist destination in Rangamati, on Wednesday and Thursday (November 4 and 5). The program has been announced demanding that the Sajek tourist road be made operational and terrorist activities in the hills be stopped.

The program was announced in a press release signed by Bindu Lal Chakma, member-secretary of the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee, on Tuesday.

The release said, "Due to blockades at various stages on October 11, 15, 22, and 23, and most recently on November 2, the Sajek tourist road, the local tourism industry, and ordinary people have suffered extreme hardship. With tourism activities suspended, the income and livelihoods of local businessmen, vehicle owners, workers, and many others concerned have come to a halt. Additionally, products produced by the local hill population are being spoiled as they cannot be marketed. As a result, ordinary people are facing financial losses."

The release further alleged, "Regional separatist groups are forcing ordinary people to observe blockades by threatening them with armed force and fines. In particular, women and children are being forcibly used as human shields to achieve political interests. The organization also claimed that the entire region is being destabilized through dominance, extortion, abduction, and murder."

It further said, "After the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee observed a blockade on the Sajek road on November 1, the Sajek Gano Adhikar Raksha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association were supposed to stop the blockade from November 2, considering the interest of the  local people. However, the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee alleged that instead of stopping the blockade, they have engaged in implementing the agenda of armed groups. In this situation, the organization expressed resentment over the administration's failure to take effective steps to relieve the suffering of local people."

In this situation, the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee has announced a peaceful and all-out democratic blockade program on November 4 and 5, demanding that the Sajek tourist road be made operational immediately and terrorist activities in the hills be stopped. At the same time, the organization has called upon the concerned authorities to take effective measures to implement the demands. Otherwise, it has warned of announcing tougher programs in the future.

However, the release mentioned that vehicles engaged in emergency services, fire service, medical supplies, media, and vehicles carrying emergency food supplies will remain outside the scope of this program during the blockade.