There has been another exchange of fire between the Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) and the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) over the issue of dominance in Sajek, Rangamati.
The two sides exchanged fire for about an hour on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, local organizations have announced to launch an indefinite blockade program on the Sajek tourist road from Monday.
Locals said the shooting incident took place in the Langalmara area of Jhurjhuri Chhara in Sajek between 4 pm and 5 pm on Sunday (November 1). No casualties were reported in the incident due to the remote area.
Earlier on Saturday, there was a gunfight between JSS and UPDF in the remote Kalabunia and Bhangamura areas of Machlong area of Sajek for about an hour and a half. These incidents have spread panic among the local residents. However, both sides have denied any involvement in the gunfight. According to locals, these clashes are taking place over the dominance of the Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS) led by Santu Larma and the UPDF led by Prasit Khisa.
UPDF spokesperson Angya Marma denied the allegations of their party members being involved in the shooting. Similarly, JSS Central Joint Information and Publicity Secretary Sajeeb Chakma also said that no one from their party was involved in such incidents.
Parit Chakma, a member of Ward No. 5 of Sajek Union, said that there was a shooting incident between two armed groups in the Jhurjhuri Chha and the adjacent Langalmara border area. This has caused panic among the common people.
Sajek Police Station OC Tofazzal Hossain said that there was a gunfight between two groups in the Langalmara area for about an hour. However, the gunfight has stopped now. Meanwhile, the indefinite blockade called by the Sajek People's Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Traders Association on five-point demands was relaxed on Sunday morning and evening. However, on the same day, another organization from Khagrachari announced a counter-blockade under the banner of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Protection Committee.
As a result, despite the announcement of easing the blockade, traffic on the Sajek tourist road remained unregulated. While a few motorcycles and auto-rickshaws were plying, other vehicles were almost stopped.
Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee leader Babudhan Chakma and Karbari Association leader Notunjoy Chakma said that the indefinite blockade program on the Sajek tourist road will continue as before from Monday (November 2).
