ISPR Account of Day-Long Sajek Incident: Human-Shield Allegation, 30-40 Rounds Fired, 3,000 Tourists Rescued Without Casualties

Around 3,000 tourists stranded by armed gunfire in the Gangaram Bazar area of Sajek in Rangamati have been rescued and taken to safety with the help of the army and police. The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) gave the information in a press release on Thursday (22 October).

The release said armed members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) in the Gangaram Bazar area of Sajek forcibly used local people as human shields, blocked the road, and opened fire on tourists and members of the law enforcement agencies.

With traffic halted on the Sajek-Baghaihat road because of the blockade, around 3,000 travelling tourists became stranded in Sajek. The Bangladesh Army and police jointly took the necessary security measures to take them safely to Khagrachhari.

According to the ISPR account, while the evacuation of tourists was under way, blockaders created obstructions on the road in the Gangaram Bazar area at around 10 am and stopped tourist vehicles from moving.

Army and police patrols then moved to negotiate with the blockaders to ensure safe passage for the tourists. During the talks, at around 10:45 am, the blockaders, instigated by the UPDF, suddenly began throwing brickbats at law enforcement members and tourists.

To bring the situation under control, law enforcement used baton charges to disperse the blockaders and arranged for tourist vehicles to move again.

Later, at around 11 am, armed UPDF members fired an estimated 30 to 40 rounds at law enforcement personnel and tourists, according to initial information. An army patrol returned fire in self-defence and to protect the tourists, after which the armed men fled the scene.

The stranded tourists were then safely evacuated through the combined efforts of the army and police. The ISPR said there were no casualties in the incident.

According to the ISPR, initial information suggests the UPDF blockade and violence were pre-planned. The release described as deeply concerning the allegation that local people were intimidated into joining the blockade and used as human shields.

The release added that, cornered by ongoing security operations in various parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, a section of armed UPDF members is understood to have taken position in the tourist area.

Such violent activities, the release said, are disrupting peace, stability and public safety in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and adversely affecting the tourism industry and the livelihoods of local people. Putting innocent tourists at risk and forcibly involving ordinary people in the blockade were described as especially concerning.

The Bangladesh Army said it continues to work in coordination with the civil administration and other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace, harmony and stability in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and to ensure the safety of local people and tourists. Its efforts to preserve a peaceful environment in the hill region will continue, the ISPR release said.