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An indefinite road blockade in Sajek Valley of Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila entered its fifth day on Monday, disrupting daily life and bringing tourist movement to a halt as the administration sought to resolve the dispute through dialogue
The blockade, jointly called by the Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association on October 22, continued without any decision on its withdrawal by Monday afternoon.
A three-member committee formed by the Rangamati district administration held talks with local headmen, karbaris and upazila administration officials at the Baghaichhari Upazila Parishad office from 11:00am on Monday to discuss the protesters’ demands.
The committee was formed at a meeting with headmen and karbaris at the deputy commissioner’s conference room on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs and MP from Khagrachhari; Dipen Dewan, MP from Rangamati; Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi; Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdur Rokib; and representatives of the military and civil administration.
The protesters have placed five demands, including the withdrawal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS), led by Santu Larma, from Sajek.
They have also demanded punishment for those allegedly involved in attacks on blockade supporters, withdrawal of related cases, compensation for traders whose shops were vandalised and looted at Ujobazar, and coverage of medical expenses for injured people. Their remaining demands include removing security personnel deployed at Ujobazar and ending arrests, police raids and harassment of protesters and local residents.
Babudhan Chakma, convener of the Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee, said the blockade was aimed at ensuring the security of local hill communities, preventing alleged extortion and harassment, and restoring peace in the area.
He said the programme would continue until the demands were met. The allegations against JSS members could not be independently verified.
Tourism hit hard
The Rangamati district administration suspended tourist movement to Sajek on October 22 until further notice. With road transport suspended, tourism activities in the popular hill destination have come to a standstill.
Resort and cottage operators, transport providers and other tourism-related businesses are facing financial losses, while local residents are experiencing difficulties travelling and accessing essential services and supplies.
Although no picketers were visibly present at several points along the road on Monday, law enforcement personnel continued patrolling key locations to prevent untoward incidents.
Administration hopes for resolution
Rangamati Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdur Rokib said the security situation in Sajek remained under control and that the administration was pursuing dialogue to resolve the crisis peacefully.
The authorities hope the discussions will address the protesters’ concerns and help restore normal road transport and tourism activities.
However, no final decision on withdrawing the blockade had been announced by Monday afternoon. The resumption of tourist movement will depend on the progress of the negotiations and subsequent decisions by the authorities
