Travel ban on Bandarban's Ruma, Thanchi lifted after 2.5 years

The local administration has withdrawn the travel ban on Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban around two years and a half after it was imposed in the wake of the emergence of militancy in the country's tourist regions.

Bandarban's Deputy Commissioner, Shamim Ara Rini, issued a public notice yesterday (5 June), lifting the travel ban.

However, travel to areas outside the administration-approved tourist spots remains prohibited.

Tourists are now permitted to travel from Thanchi to Tindumukh via Madak, from Baklai Para to Tamantangi, and from Ruma Upazila to Munlai Para and up to Boga Lake.

For travel to these approved zones, tourists are prohibited from venturing into other parts of Ruma and Thanchi Upazilas beyond these designated areas, a measure taken to maintain overall law and order. 

Additionally, travel is not permitted without a registered tourist guide from the district or upazila and all necessary travel information must be provided to the relevant check post or tourist information service center within the tourist center.

In October 2022, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) said Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF), also known as "bomb party" gave military training to members of the new militant organisation 'Jamatul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya' in exchange for money.

RAB and army personnel have been conducting a joint operation against militants and KNF members in Rawangchari and Ruma upazilas since 17 October that year. 

Since then, the district administration banned the travel of local and foreign tourists to Ruma and Rowangchari upazilas for an indefinite period. Later this operation was carried out in Thanchi upazila as well.