Sajek tourism reopening likely as UPDF influence reportedly declines

The possibility of reopening Sajek, one of the country’s major tourist destinations, has emerged amid claims that the influence of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) is declining in several areas and the presence of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) is expanding.

Tourist movement to Sajek in Rangamati has remained suspended for several weeks due to prolonged road blockades and clashes linked to rival regional groups, severely affecting tourism businesses, the local economy and residents’ livelihoods.

Several local sources claim that the UPDF’s organisational presence has weakened in areas where it previously held a strong position, while the PCJSS has expanded its presence. However, the claims about territorial influence have not been independently verified.

Local residents said the UPDF’s presence had declined in several strategic areas, including Machalong, Ujobaazar, Nangalmara and Gangaram.

Local businesspeople, speaking on condition of anonymity, said around Tk 500 crore had been invested in tourism and other businesses in Sajek. They alleged that regular extortion affected cottages, restaurants and transport services, with some cottage owners reportedly required to pay up to Tk 5,000 per room.

They said disputes over control of tourism and other businesses had contributed to the longstanding rivalry between regional groups.

An organising secretary of the Sajek Cottage Owners Association said the current crisis stemmed from the struggle for dominance among regional groups. Restrictions during the peak tourism season had caused significant financial losses for business owners, he added, calling for an early resolution and reopening of the destination.

On October 11, the Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee and Sajek Karyakari Association, with support from the UPDF, announced a blockade of the Sajek road over three demands.

The blockade was initially relaxed for 48 hours following assurances from the administration. However, as the demands remained unmet, it resumed on October 15. It was suspended from October 16 to 21 for Durga Puja before another indefinite blockade began on October 22.

On October 22, clashes broke out between protesters and others in the Ujobaazar area while around 3,000 tourists staying in Sajek were being evacuated safely.

Road transport has remained suspended since then, effectively disrupting communication with the tourist destination.

The prolonged disruption has also affected agriculture and the supply of essential goods. Local farmers have been unable to transport their produce outside the area.

Local representative Anitya Kumar Tripura said no goods-laden vehicles had been able to reach Sajek since October 21. He warned that continued disruption could lead to a food shortage and called for emergency assistance and restoration of road communication.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs on November 5 proposed compensation for workers and permanent residents affected by the situation in Sajek.

The committee also recommended that the ministry take effective steps to resolve the existing problems. It decided that committee members would visit the three hill districts in December and exchange views with local residents.

A source claimed that restrictions on tourist movement in Sajek might be lifted within the next few days. The source further claimed that the PCJSS, which had a presence in Machalong Bazar before the blockade, had expanded its position to 20–22 villages in Sajek. The claim could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, a source close to the UPDF claimed that the organisation had avoided confrontation, considering public safety and the overall situation, although it could have engaged in clashes. The source said the organisation was seeking to raise public awareness about PCJSS activities and its influence on local residents.

Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee convener Babu Dhan Chakma said the situation was deteriorating despite assurances from the government to meet some of their demands.

He said there were rumours about reopening Sajek but warned that the government would have to take responsibility for any consequences if the destination was reopened without fulfilling the demands.

PCJSS central committee information and publicity secretary Sajib Chakma said the organisation had no armed wing and always pursued politics for public welfare. He blamed organisations opposed to the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord for the unrest in the hills.

Attempts to contact UPDF spokesperson Ong Marma over the phone were unsuccessful.

Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi said no final decision had been made on reopening Sajek. The administration would take a decision after assessing the overall situation.