The Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee announced the revised schedule in a press release on Saturday. They said the decision to delay the programme was taken to reduce inconvenience for tourists visiting the popular hill destination.
In a statement sent by Bijoy Kumar Chakma, a member of the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee, the organisations said the blockade would continue indefinitely from Sunday morning. They also sought cooperation from local residents and tourists in carrying out the programme.
The association’s president, Nutan Joy Chakma, and the committee’s convener, Babudhan Chakma, said the decision followed allegations of armed activities by the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) in Sajek. They accused the organisation of threatening and intimidating local residents.
According to the two organisations, a protest rally and public meeting were held at Machalong Ujo Bazar in Sajek on Thursday. During the programme, their leaders announced that a road blockade would be imposed if action was not taken against the alleged activities.
The organisations said they had given the relevant parties a deadline to address their concerns. However, they claimed that no effective measures had been taken, prompting them to announce the blockade.
The allegations have been rejected by the JSS, which disputed the organisations’ account of the situation.
JSS publicity secretary Sajib Chakma told Prothom Alo that the organisation maintained its activities throughout the Chattogram Hill Tracts, including Sajek. He described the allegations of threats and intimidation against local residents as baseless.
Sajib Chakma also alleged that the accusations were intended to divert attention from what he described as longstanding harassment and oppression of ordinary people by armed members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Sajek. However, the claims made by the rival organisations have not been independently verified in the report.
Meanwhile, UPDF spokesperson Angya Marma denied allegations that the organisation had pressured the two groups into announcing the blockade. He said the UPDF would support the programme because it had been called in the name of the general public.
Tourists and local businesses face uncertainty
Sajek Valley, located in Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati, is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from across Bangladesh. Road blockades in the area can disrupt transport, affect travel plans and create difficulties for businesses that depend on tourism.
Rahul Chakma, organising secretary of the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners’ Association, said around 3,000 tourists were staying at the destination on Friday night.
The decision to postpone the blockade may give visitors additional time to leave the area, but its indefinite duration has raised concerns about future travel arrangements and access to the tourist spot.
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Amena Marjan said on Saturday that she had heard about the planned road blockade. Speaking at around 10.45am, she said tourists staying in Sajek had begun travelling towards Baghaihat at around 10am with assistance from security forces.
The movement of tourists before the blockade takes effect is expected to be important in limiting disruption. However, the extent of the impact on road transport and tourism will depend on how the situation develops after the programme begins.
With no fixed end date announced, uncertainty remains over how long the blockade will continue and when normal road movement to and from Sajek may resume. The competing allegations by the JSS, UPDF and the two local organisations also highlight the continuing tensions surrounding security and public safety in the area.
