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Thursday | October 22, 2026 | Dhaka

Sajek braces for indefinite blockade

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:05 AM, 22 October 2026

Two local organisations have announced an indefinite road blockade in Sajek from Thursday, October 22, demanding improved security and protection for local residents.

The Sajek Gono Odhikar Rokkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association announced the decision in a joint statement on Wednesday, saying the blockade would continue until their demands were met. They also urged tourists currently staying in Sajek to leave the area by Wednesday.

The blockade was initially enforced on October 11, with the organisations demanding the removal of armed members of the Santu Larma-led faction of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) from different parts of Sajek.

The protesters suspended the blockade for 48 hours after the administration and law enforcement agencies assured them that their demands would be addressed. However, alleging that the authorities had failed to fulfil their commitments within the agreed timeframe, the organisations resumed the blockade on October 15.

Their demands include the removal of the alleged armed members, ensuring residents’ safety and protecting their lives and property.

The organisations also alleged that armed members were active in several areas of Machalong, including Thalkumbho, Chillatuli, Noapara, Lambabak and Bhuyochhari.

They claimed that local residents had faced threats and that some had been deprived of access to their mobile phones. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The blockade was suspended again from October 16 to 21 to allow residents to celebrate Sharadiya Durga Puja.

According to the organisations, the suspension followed a request from local festival organisers and was intended to respect the religious occasion. During this period, the Rangamati district administration also reopened Sajek Valley to tourists.

The renewed blockade could disrupt tourism, affect local residents and create difficulties for transport workers using the road connecting Sajek with Dighinala in Khagrachhari.

During the previous shutdown, vehicle movement was halted, leaving tourists stranded and disrupting travel to and from the popular destination.

The organisers said certain vehicles would be exempt from the blockade. These include fire service vehicles, ambulances, vehicles carrying bodies, vehicles transporting emergency medicines, newspaper delivery vehicles and those used by journalists on duty.

Located in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati, Sajek is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The latest announcement has raised fresh concerns over road connectivity and tourism in the area as the organisations prepare to resume their protest indefinitely.