Sajek road blockade enters 10th day, relaxed for one day on Sunday

The blockade on the Sajek road in Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati entered its 10th consecutive day on Saturday. However, the blockaders have relaxed the road blockade for 12 hours on Sunday (November 1), from 6am to 6pm.

The Sajek Gana Adhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association called the indefinite blockade in its third phase from October 22. In support of the blockade, protesters felled logs and set them on fire at various points along the Sajek road. Security forces have stepped up patrols in key areas to maintain law and order.

The leaders of the organisations said the one-day relaxation was decided considering the basic needs of the common people of the area.

A press release sent to the media said the decision to relax the road blockade for one day on November 1 was taken considering the basic needs of the general public. But the relaxation is temporary — the previously announced indefinite road blockade programme will resume after Sunday.

The third phase of the indefinite blockade has been running on the Sajek road since October 22 as part of a programme to realise a three-point charter of demands, among other demands.

Because of the blockade, road communication with Sajek has been disrupted. Tourism business, local people's travel and the supply of daily necessities have all suffered.

With the blockade dragging on, concern has also grown over the supply of food and medicine for local residents.