Half-day road blockade in Khagrachhari and Rangamati today

Bangla Press Desk: The 'Student-People’s Struggle Council' (Chhatra-Janatar Sangram Parishad) is observing a half-day blockade of road and waterways in the Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts. The organization has initiated this action to protest against attacks, beatings, and the vandalism of homes and shops in Sajek, and to express solidarity with the demands of the local residents of Sajek.

The blockade is in effect from this morning, Saturday (October 24), until 12:00 PM in both districts. Since dawn, picketers have been seen burning tires in various locations. Additional police forces have been deployed at key points across the towns to prevent any untoward incidents or unrest.

However, ambulances, vehicles carrying patients, funeral vehicles, fire service units, vehicles transporting essential medicines, and those carrying journalists are exempt from the blockade.

Ushatan Chakma, president of the Student-People’s Struggle Council, has sought the cooperation of democratic and progressive organizations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as well as transport owner and worker associations in Khagrachhari and Rangamati, to ensure the success of the program.

Meanwhile, the 'Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee' and the 'Sajek Karbari Association' are enforcing an indefinite blockade on the Sajek tourism road, citing three specific demands. As a result, all vehicular movement to and from Sajek has come to a complete halt. One of their demands includes the removal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS–Santu Larma faction) from the Sajek area—an allegation that the JSS has denied.

Previously, on Thursday, tensions arose between law enforcement agencies and the blockaders near Ujobazar in Baghaichhari, while tourists returning from Sajek were being escorted to safety in Khagrachhari. Police reported that a subsequent exchange of fire took place between law enforcement and an armed group.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate indicated that armed members of the UPDF opened fire on tourists and law enforcement personnel. The statement further noted that the army returned fire in self-defense and to ensure the safety of the tourists. Due to security concerns, the Rangamati district administration has announced the temporary closure of the Sajek tourist destination until further notice.

BP/SP