Sajek Road Blockade Enters Third Day Over Three Demands, Tourist Centre Closed Indefinitely

A road blockade continued for a third day on Saturday (October 24) at the Sajek tourist centre in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati, in support of a three-point set of demands. The programme is being observed by the Sajek Gana Adhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association, and the blockade has effectively paralysed one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.

Because of the blockade, which began on Thursday (October 22), traffic on the road to Sajek has remained suspended. With vehicles unable to move, tourists cannot reach Sajek, and the return route for anyone there is also closed.

In response to the situation, the district administration has declared the Sajek tourist centre closed for an indefinite period. That means there is now no timeline for tourism at Sajek to return to normal until the blockade is withdrawn or the demands are settled.

The protesters' first demand is that the armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti, led by Santu Larma, be withdrawn from the Sajek area. Their second demand is that residents' security be ensured.

The third demand states that security forces must not raid the homes of ordinary, innocent people and must not harass them. At the centre of all three demands lies the question of local residents' safety and normal life.

The protesters allege that the activities of armed members in various parts of Sajek and the fear among local residents have disrupted normal life. They claim an atmosphere of apprehension prevails in the hill locality.

Leaders of the two organisations said the administration had earlier assured them that the demands would be implemented within 48 hours. As the demands were not met within the stipulated time, they resumed the blockade programme — making this a movement reignited by an allegation of a broken promise.

Babudhan Chakma, president of the Sajek Gana Adhikar Andolon, said their programme would continue until the three demands are implemented. His statement makes clear that the protesters see fulfilment of the demands, rather than compromise, as the only path forward.

Sajek is one of Bangladesh's most attractive tourist destinations, drawing visitors from across the country throughout the year. An indefinite closure directly hits local resorts, transport and tourism-dependent businesses, while also adding to the suffering of stranded tourists and those forced to cancel trips.

The protesters, however, argue that residents' safety and dignity matter more than tourism losses. Without an end to armed activity and a harassment-free environment, they say, a return to normal life is impossible — and so they remain firm on the blockade.

The administration now faces a twofold challenge: taking credible steps on the protesters' demands on the one hand, and restoring the tourist centre and road communication on the other. As the earlier 48-hour assurance did not take effect, there are also questions about how far the protesters will accept any new assurance.

As the third day of the blockade ends, all eyes are on the district administration's next move. Whether a solution comes at the negotiating table, or the blockade lengthens and deepens the damage to Sajek's tourist season, will become clear in the coming days.