Businessman Taher and his newly married wife have gone to Rangamati’s Sajek, known as the “Paradise”, for a recreational vacation. However, they are now stranded due to a 72-hour blockade in the three hill districts following recent violence in Rangamati and Khagrachhari.
Not just Taher, but also over 800 other tourists have become stranded in Sajek, Rangamati amid the blockade.
Hotel owners and locals said that the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) had announced a 72-hour blockade programme in three hill districts starting Saturday morning.
At the same time, owners and workers have jointly called for an indefinite transport strike in response to the clashes in Rangamati, which resulted in damage to buses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, and trucks, leaving many workers injured.
Suparna Dev Varman, president of the resort-cottage owners’ association in Sajek told the media that mainly those who had gone to Sajek from Khagrachhari on Friday were stranded due to the blockade. Tourists will be brought back if the situation improves.
He further said that more than 800 tourists are stranded in Sajek due to the blockade, and law enforcement agencies are in regular contact with them.
To ease the burden, the Sajek Cottage Owners Association have reduced accommodation costs by 50 per cent for the day, and this reduction will continue if tourists are unable to leave by Sunday, he added.
Khagrachhari Jeep Lineman Yashin Arafat informed the media that on Friday morning and afternoon, approximately 115 jeeps and more than 50 CNG-powered Mahindra vehicles entered Sajek. Each jeep can carry 12 to 14 passengers, while Mahindra vehicles accommodate 4 to 5 passengers.
He further said that the blockaders ignited fires in several areas of the road in response to the UPDF blockade. They have heard that the pavement has been removed from the bailey bridges.
Given this situation, vehicles transporting tourists are at considerable risk. Consequently, no vehicle from the association has made the return trip from Sajek.
Indra Chakma, owner of Sajek Hill View Resort, expressed optimism that the situation will improve soon and that everyone will arrive safely once the blockade ends.
Some hotel and motel employees said that they usually buy food for tourists from various markets, including Khagrachhari and Baghaichari.
However, in the current situation, they are unable to make these purchases, and their supplies are running low. If this persists for a few more days, it will become difficult to provide food and water for the tourists.
They are calling for prompt solutions to these issues.
Rangamati’s Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Shirin Akhter, told the media that no vehicles were allowed to leave due to safety concerns, but tourists are safe in Sajek. Further action will depend on the evolving situation.
Previously, on Wednesday, a young man named Mamun lost his life in a beating related to a motorcycle theft incident in Khagrachhari district. Following a protest march against this incident, violence spread to the hill city of Rangamati as well.
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