The Rangamati district administration has temporarily closed the Sajek tourism centre in Baghaichhari Upazila for unavoidable reasons, instructing tourists currently staying there to leave by 5pm on Tuesday (October 13).
The order took effect at 6pm on Sunday (October 11) and will remain in force until further notice. The directive was announced in an emergency public notice issued at 7pm on Sunday by the district administration’s media cell. The notice was signed by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi.
According to the notice, the Sajek tourism centre will remain temporarily closed from 6pm Sunday until further instructions. Tourists currently in the area have been asked to leave by 5pm Tuesday and return safely to their respective destinations.
Earlier on Sunday, an indefinite blockade began at 6am at the call of the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association. The blockade halted traffic on the Sajek-Dighinala road.
Barricades at several points along the road left tourists and vehicles travelling in both directions stranded midway. Normally, tourists travel between Khagrachhari and Sajek twice a day under military escort.
Although an escort operation was planned for Sunday, only one attempt was made because of the blockade. Tourists travelling from Khagrachhari to Sajek were stopped by protesters when they reached the Gangaram Ujobazar area of Baghaihat. Meanwhile, tourists leaving Sajek were stranded in Machalong.
Following discussions with the administration and assurances from officials, the protesters withdrew the blockade at around 5pm. Tourists stranded on both sides then resumed their journeys to their respective destinations with assistance from the army and local administration.
Despite the withdrawal of the blockade, the district administration’s closure order remains in effect. Tourists staying in Sajek must therefore leave the area within the stipulated deadline.
