Administration holds meeting as Sajek blockade enters day 5

An indefinite road blockade in Sajek under Baghaichhari upazila entered its fifth consecutive day on Monday (October 26), severely disrupting daily life and keeping tourist movement suspended in the region. 

The blockade, jointly enforced by the Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association, began on October 22 to press home a five-point list of demands, including the withdrawal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu Larma faction) from the Sajek area. 

To resolve the crisis, the Rangamati district administration formed a three-member committee on Sunday (October 25) following an emergency meeting with headmen and karbaris.

The committee convened a dialogue with local headmen, karbaris, and upazila administration officials at the Baghaichhari Upazila Parishad office starting at 11:00 AM on Monday (October 26) to negotiate an end to the standoff.

The protesters' five-point demand includes: punishing those involved in attacks on blockade supporters and withdrawing related cases; providing compensation to traders whose shops were vandalized and looted at Ujobazar, along with the removal of security personnel deployed there; bearing the medical expenses for injured individuals; removing armed JSS (Santu Larma) members from Sajek to curb extortion and harassment; and ending arrests, police raids, and harassment of protesting activists and local residents.

Following an official suspension of tourist movement by the Rangamati district administration on October 22 until further notice, tourism activities in Sajek Valley remain completely halted. Local business owners operating resorts, cottages, and transport services expressed deep concern over mounting financial losses. 

While picketers were not actively seen on the roads on Monday, security forces maintained heightened patrols at key strategic points to prevent untoward incidents.

Rangamati Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abdur Rokib stated that the security situation remains under control and expressed optimism that the ongoing administrative dialogue would lead to a peaceful resolution, allowing normal life and tourism to resume in Sajek.

-SA