Sajek road blockade over PCJSS armed members leaves tourists stranded
Protesters enforce an indefinite shutdown after a 48-hour ultimatum goes unheeded, while authorities escort tourists along the route.
Vehicular movement on the main road connecting Khagrachhari with the popular tourist destination Sajek in Rangamati remained halted since this morning (11 October) as two organisations enforced an indefinite blockade, leaving tourists stranded in the area.
The blockade began at 6:00am, halting traffic on the Baghaihat-Sajek road.
Protesters placed tree trunks across the road and burned tyres at several points to enforce the shutdown.
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Sajek Karbari Association and Sajek Gono Odhikar Roksha Committee enforced the indefinite blockade demanding the removal of armed members of the Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) from Sajek.
Locals said the programme is aimed at ensuring lasting peace in the area and strengthening the safety of ordinary residents.
In a joint statement, the two organisations on Saturday said ambulances, fire service vehicles and those used by journalists have remained outside the purview of the blockade to minimise public suffering.
Earlier on 8 October, the two organisations gave a 48-hour ultimatum at a rally in Ujjo Bazar in Sajek to take action against the JSS armed members.
As their demand went unheeded, they enforced the blockade.
The organisations said JSS armed members had been staying in different parts of Sajek since 30 August, threatening local residents and damaging property.
They also urged transport owners and workers, tourists and the general public to refrain from using the Sajek tourist road during the blockade.
Contacted, Officer-in-Charge of Sajek Police Station Mohammad Toffazzal Hossain said police were not formally notified of the blockade, although the organisers earlier issued an ultimatum.
He said police were making efforts to keep tourist transportation running, adding that the movement of local vehicles declined to some extent.
Tourists were escorted out of Sajek at 2:30pm today, while visitors travelling to Sajek from Khagrachhari through Dighinala were also being escorted to the destination, the OC added.
