Third Indefinite Blockade in Sajek Strands Tourist Convoy at Ujobazar

For the third time, activists of the Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee began an indefinite blockade on Thursday on the Baghaichhari-Sajek road in Rangamati, pressing three demands. Because of their protest, a convoy carrying tourists out of Sajek Valley has been stranded.

The convoy was stopped at Ujobazar at around 9:30am on Thursday. Local sources said protesters were demonstrating by burning tyres at several points on the road. Tyres were also reported to have been set on fire at places including Shuknachhara in Baghaihat, Sajek.

Considering security, the district administration announced a temporary closure of tourist entry to Sajek at around 7pm on Wednesday. Its instruction asked all tourists staying in Sajek to return safely to their destinations by 4pm on Thursday. The blockade has now blocked that very route back.

Sajek Jeep Association lineman Yasin Arafat said more than 150 vehicles, large, small and private, had entered Sajek by Wednesday afternoon. Vehicles were scheduled to leave Sajek at 8am on Thursday.

Rahul Chakma John, organising secretary of the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association, said the tourist escort left Sajek at 9am. It was then obstructed by blockaders at Ujobazar, where the tourists are currently staying.

The two protesting organisations said they resumed the blockade because their three demands had not been met. The programme had been suspended from 16 to 21 October for Sharodiya Durga Puja, at the request of the Baghaihat and Machlong Bazar Durga Puja celebration committees and out of respect for Hindu devotees.

The protesters allege that armed activity is being carried out openly in various villages of Sajek under the leadership of JSS armed group company commanders Chinu Marma and Simon Chakma. Many people have been forced to leave their homes because of intimidation and death threats, they claim.

Leaders of the protesting organisations said their programme will continue until the safety of ordinary people in the area is ensured and armed activity stops. In other words, without progress on the demands, it is not yet possible to say how long the blockade will last.

Earlier, the first indefinite road blockade on the same three demands began on 11 October. It was withdrawn for 48 hours on assurances from the local administration, but a blockade was called again on 15 October amid allegations that the promises had not been implemented. It was later suspended for Durga Puja.

With the demands still unmet, the third round of blockade began on Thursday. Repeated blockades on the same demands, stranded tourists and questions over implementation of the administration's assurances are now at the centre of the Sajek situation.

Bringing the stranded tourists back safely is now the most urgent issue. They were due to return by Thursday afternoon under the district administration's instruction, but the blockade has made that schedule uncertain. All eyes are now on whether any understanding can be reached between the administration and the protesters to restore normalcy.