The ongoing road blockade in the popular tourist destination of Sajek, located in Rangamati's Baghaichhari upazila, continues to disrupt normal life and tourism as local residents press home their three-point charter of demands. The protest, which has halted all vehicular movement on the main connectivity routes, has stranded numerous tourists who visited the scenic valley, leaving them struggling to return to their respective destinations.
According to local sources, the protest stems from long-standing grievances regarding regional security, the protection of fundamental rights for indigenous and local residents, and the eradication of operational irregularities within the local tourism sector. Frustrated by a lack of concrete administrative action or tangible progress on these issues, residents resorted to the strict blockade. Demonstrators placed logs and burned tires across primary access roads, completely barring tourist jeeps and microbuses from entering Sajek from Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khagrachari.
Stranded tourists are currently confined to hotels and resorts in the cloud-kissed valley, facing mounting difficulties regarding food supplies and daily essentials. Meanwhile, resort owners, transport operators, and small-scale business owners are counting heavy financial losses amid the peak tourist season. This sudden disruption has sent shockwaves through the local service economy, threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of families dependent on tourism.
Local administration and law enforcement agencies are currently engaged in continuous dialogues with community representatives to de-escalate the situation. Although officials have urged patience and promised to review the demands, protesters remain firm, demanding concrete and written assurances before lifting the blockade. They maintain that the peaceful yet stringent protests will persist until their grievances are formally addressed.
Experts note that prolonged instability in a premier tourist hub like Sajek could severely damage the broader national tourism ecosystem. Prompt intervention and a negotiated settlement are deemed vital to alleviate public suffering, restore normalcy, and safeguard the economic potential of the region.
