Play store
An indefinite blockade on the Sajek-Baghaihat road in Rangamati began at 6am on Sunday (October 11) in protest against the activities of an armed group and alleged threats to local residents.
The Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association called the blockade, saying their demands had not been met despite a 48-hour ultimatum.
The announcement came in a joint statement issued on Saturday by Sajek Karbari Association President Natun Joy Chakma and Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee Convener Babudhan Chakma.
The statement alleged that an armed group operating under the name of the Santu faction of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) had been threatening and intimidating residents.
The organisations said a rally on October 8 had demanded that the group be removed from the area within 48 hours, but the administration had taken no effective action. They also alleged that protesters were harassed through searches of their shops and homes.
According to the statement, the armed group has been stationed for nearly two weeks around the Bhuyachhari, Chailatali and Machalong camps in Sajek, threatening local people.
The organisations further claimed that a child, Kosmita Tripura, was injured by gunfire allegedly fired by the group on September 29.
They warned that peace and public safety would remain at risk as long as the armed group stayed in Sajek.
The organisers sought cooperation from residents and transport owners and workers in Sajek Union and Baghaihat and Dighinala upazilas to make the blockade successful.
However, ambulances carrying patients, fire service vehicles and vehicles carrying journalists will remain exempt from the blockade, the statement said.