A shootout and exchange of fire broke out between law enforcement and protesters over a road blockade in Sajek, Baghaichhari, Rangamati. The incident took place in the Ujobazar area on Thursday morning. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Police said the tourists had left Sajek for security reasons.
Tension and clashes have erupted over a road blockade in Sajek, Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati. On Thursday (October 22) at around 11 am, law enforcement forces and the blockaders exchanged gunfire in the Ujobazar area of Sajek. No information about casualties was immediately available in the incident.
Rangamati Superintendent of Police Muhammad Abdur Rakib said that there was a gunfight between law enforcement and an armed group. There were intermittent reports of gunfire at the time of writing. However, he confirmed that the tourists left Sajek safely.
Tension as tourist vehicles are stuck
According to local sources, law enforcement officers tried to remove the barricades to take tourists stranded on the Sajek road to Khagrachari. At that time, the blockaders resisted. At one stage, there were allegations of brickbats and shots being fired at law enforcement officers. The officers also returned fire to control the situation and ensure the safety of tourists, according to the relevant sources.
Sources said that around 8:30 am on Thursday, around 3,000 tourists left Sajek for Khagrachari under special security of the army and police. When the tourist vehicles reached the Ujobazar area, they were blocked by the blockaders. Tension spread in the area. A large number of law enforcement officers were deployed there to control the situation.
According to the latest information, tourists returning from Sajek have safely reached Khagrachari with the help of the army and police.
Blockade over disputes between regional organizations
Sources claim that the UPDF-backed Sajek People’s Rights Protection Committee and Sajek Karbari Association have called for a blockade on Sajek Road due to the conflict between the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), a regional organization of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and the Parbatya Chittagong Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS) over dominance.
However, the organization’s Rangamati district president Gangamanik Chakma has denied the allegations leveled against JSS. He said, “These are conspiratorial propaganda by the UPDF. They are doing this to divert attention from the terrorist activities and exploitation and oppression that the UPDF has been carrying out in Sajek for a long time.”
In other words, the situation on Sajek Road has become more heated amid mutual complaints between regional organizations. However, an official statement from the law enforcement agencies is awaited to know the reasons behind the clash and the details of the incident.