12-hour blockade announced again in Sajek

BanglaPress Desk: A new situation has emerged regarding the ongoing blockade in Sajek, located in the Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati. The UPDF-backed 'Sajek Committee for the Protection of Public Rights' (Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee) has announced a 12-hour relaxation of the blockade for Sunday (November 1) to facilitate the transport of essential commodities and the travel of Buddhist monks for the 'Kathina Chivara Dana' (offering of robes) ceremony. Conversely, the 'Chittagong Hill Tracts Protection Committee' (Parbatya Chattogram Rokkha Committee) has announced a separate 12-hour blockade—from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on the same day—in protest against armed activities in the region.

In a press release issued on Saturday night (October 31), the Chittagong Hill Tracts Protection Committee declared a 12-hour blockade in Sajek for Sunday, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The statement, signed by the committee’s member secretary, Bindu Lal Chakma, explains that this action is a protest against violence, armed activities, a show of force near the Bhaibonchhara Government Primary School, and the holding of tourists as hostages.

The release alleges that despite a blockade being in place in Sajek since October 11, the activities of armed groups have not ceased. Furthermore, a fresh incident of gunfire in the Kalabunia area on October 31 has spread panic among local residents. The organization stated that this blockade is being observed to demand the assurance of security in the area.

Meanwhile, on Friday night (October 30), Babudhan Chakma, the convener of the Sajek Committee for the Protection of Public Rights, announced the relaxation of the blockade in a video message. He stated that from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, vehicles transporting essential goods will be permitted to move. Special arrangements will also be made for the travel of Buddhist monks attending the 'Kathina Chivara Dana' ceremony; representatives of the concerned monasteries or religious institutions are advised to coordinate with the organizations enforcing the blockade, and passage will be granted following such discussions.

The blockade called by the Chittagong Hill Tracts Protection Committee will exempt ambulances carrying patients, fire service vehicles, and vehicles belonging to media personnel. However, the committee has urged transport owners, labor union leaders, tourists, and the general public to refrain from operating vehicles on the roads during the blockade. Meanwhile, an indefinite blockade—the third such phase—has been underway since October 22, initiated by the Sajek Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Karbari (Headman) Association. The two organizations are enforcing this action to demand the removal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS)—led by Santu Larma—from the Sajek area. They allege that the presence of these armed individuals has left local residents feeling insecure.

The blockade has disrupted road connectivity to and from Sajek, leading to growing shortages of food supplies and medicine, while tourism activities have also come to a halt. In an effort to normalize the situation, a high-level government delegation met with the protesters at Ujo Bazar on October 26. Although an agreement was reached on four of their five demands, the blockade remains in place as no consensus could be reached regarding the removal of the armed members.

Due to security concerns, the Rangamati District Administration has maintained a ban on tourist travel to the Sajek tourism valley since October 22.