RANGAMATI — Gunfire erupted between security forces and armed individuals in the Uzobazar area of Sajek Union in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari Upazila on Thursday, as a road blockade disrupted the movement of tourists.
The clash began at around 11am when security personnel attempted to remove barricades on the Sajek road and escort tourists towards Khagrachhari. Blockade participants initially threw bricks and stones before gunfire broke out, according to local media reports.
Police Superintendent Abdur Robik said authorities had received reports of intermittent gunfire. He added that tourists had left Sajek safely.
Nearly 3,000 tourists began their journey from Sajek towards Khagrachhari on Thursday morning under special security arrangements. However, vehicles carrying tourists that departed around 8:30am encountered obstruction at Uzobazar, where protesters were maintaining the blockade.
A large number of security personnel were deployed in the area to bring the situation under control. The latest report indicated that the tourist convoy had reached an area near Dighinala safely.
The blockade was called by the Sajek Gana Adhikar Rakkha Committee and the Karbari Association amid tensions linked to a rivalry between two regional political organisations over territorial influence.
However, Sajib Chakma, central information and publicity secretary of the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS), denied the allegations against his organisation. He described them as a “conspiratorial propaganda campaign” by the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF).
Chakma alleged that the UPDF was attempting to divert attention from what he described as its long-standing armed activities and exploitation of local residents in Sajek.
The situation remained tense as security forces continued their deployment in the area.
COMMENTS