A half-day blockade of roads and waterways is underway in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts in protest against alleged attacks, baton charges and vandalism during a blockade on Thursday at Ujo Bazar in Sajek, Rangamati.The blockade, called by the Chhatra Janata Sangram Parishad, began this morning.No long-distance buses left Khagrachhari due to the blockade, although a few auto-rickshaws were seen operating in different parts of the town. Night buses arriving from Dhaka reached Khagrachhari early in the morning under police escort.During the blockade, protesters burnt tyres on roads in different parts of the town including Chengi bridge, the Swonirbhar area and Jorabridge in Guimara on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari road. Trees were also felled to obstruct traffic at Sapmara on the Chattogram-Khagrachhari road.Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Kay Kislu said buses arriving from Dhaka overnight had been escorted into Khagrachhari. Some vehicles were delayed and remained in Ramgarh, and their drivers had been instructed to enter Khagrachhari after noon.
He said protesters had attempted to create disorder by burning tyres at several locations in the town. Law enforcement personnel went to the sites and chased them away. The situation remained calm, he added.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, the Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association announced an indefinite blockade from Thursday and urged tourists to leave Sajek immediately.Citing security concerns, the Rangamati district administration temporarily closed the Sajek tourist destination. In a public notice issued on Wednesday evening, Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi announced that Sajek Valley in Baghaichhari upazila would remain closed until further notice.Tourists were also instructed to leave Sajek safely by 4:00pm on Thursday.Following the directive, tourists began leaving Sajek on Thursday morning. However, they faced obstruction at Ujo Bazar on their way back.
One of the three demands raised by the blockade organisers is the removal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) led by Santu Larma, from Sajek. The PCJSS, however, has said it has no armed group.
The Chhatra Janata Sangram Parishad called Saturday’s half-day peaceful blockade in Khagrachhari and Rangamati to protest the attacks and vandalism of homes and shops during the Sajek blockade, and to express support for the demands of Sajek residents.
