Counter 12-hour blockade called in Sajek for Sunday, as ongoing blockade is relaxed the same day

A new situation has arisen in Sajek of Baghaichhari in Rangamati. The UPDF-backed Sajek Ganoadhikar Rakkha Committee has announced a 12-hour relaxation of the ongoing blockade on Sunday (1 November) to facilitate the transport of essential goods and the movement of Buddhist monks for the Kathin Chibar Dan ceremony. However, on the same day, the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee has announced a fresh counter blockade programme from 6am to 6pm in protest against armed activities.

In a press release published on Saturday night (31 October), the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee announced that it will observe a 12-hour blockade programme in Sajek on Sunday from 6am to 6pm.

The release, signed by the committee's member secretary Bindu Lal Chakma, said the programme was announced in protest against violence in Sajek, armed activities, an armed drill in the Bhaibonchhara Government Primary School area, and attacks holding tourists hostage.

The release alleged that although a blockade has been going on in Sajek since 11 October, the activities of armed groups have not stopped. Rather, a fresh incident of gunfire in the Kalabunia area on 31 October spread panic among local residents. The organisation said the programme will be observed demanding that security in the area be ensured.

On the other hand, on Friday night (30 October), Babudhan Chakma, convener of the Sajek Ganoadhikar Rakkha Committee, announced the relaxation of the blockade in a video message. He said that from 6am to 6pm on Sunday, there will be no obstruction to vehicle movement for the transport of essential goods. Special arrangements will also be kept for the movement of Buddhist monks on the occasion of Kathin Chibar Dan. In this case, the authorities of the concerned monasteries or religious institutions will have to contact the organisations enforcing the blockade; vehicle movement will be allowed subject to discussion.

Ambulances carrying patients, fire service vehicles and vehicles of journalists will be exempt from the blockade called by the Parbatya Chattagram Rakkha Committee. However, the committee has requested vehicle owners and transport workers' organisation leaders, tourists and the general public not to operate vehicles on the roads while the programme is under way.

Meanwhile, an indefinite blockade has been under way in its third phase since 22 October at the call of the Sajek Ganoadhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association. The two organisations are observing the programme demanding the withdrawal of the armed members of the Santu Larma-led Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) from Sajek. They allege that local residents are suffering from insecurity because of these armed members.

Road communication with Sajek is being disrupted due to the blockade. This is increasing the shortage of food supplies and medicine, and tourism activities also remain closed. To normalise the situation, a high-level government delegation met the protesters at Uzo Bazar on 26 October. Although there was an understanding on four of the five demands, the blockade was not withdrawn as no consensus was reached on withdrawing the armed members.

Due to the security situation, the Rangamati district administration has kept a ban on tourist travel to the Sajek tourist valley in force since 22 October.