A total of 2,933 tourists who had been stranded in Rangamati's Sajek valley due to a blockade called by two regional organizations have successfully returned. On Thursday around 1:00 PM, they were escorted back to the Khagrachhari district town under the protection of security forces. Tourists reported experiencing intense fear due to blockades and gunfire along their return route.
Abdul Malek, a tourist from Dhaka, spoke with reporters at the Shapla Chattar area of Khagrachhari town. He had traveled to Sajek on Wednesday afternoon with eight members of his family, and they were originally scheduled to return to Khagrachhari on Friday morning.
"Suddenly on Thursday evening, we heard that an organization had called a road blockade. Today, while returning, the picketers blocked our vehicles," Malek said. "Despite the fear and intimidation, we managed to reach Khagrachhari safely. I will only find peace once we make it back home tonight."
Jugeshwar Tripura, an employee at Sajek's Sampari Guest House, recounted his experience, stating, "As Sajek was announced to be closed, I was heading home. When I reached Ujo Bazar, I saw that the vehicles had been halted. Later, law enforcement personnel escorted our vehicles through."
However, upon returning from Sajek, many tourists faced fresh distress due to a lack of vacant hotel rooms in Khagrachhari. Another tourist, Mizanur Rahman, shared his predicament: "Our family, including children and elderly members, was supposed to stay in Sajek until Friday. Accordingly, we booked return bus tickets to Dhaka for Friday night. Now, upon coming to Khagrachhari and finding no empty rooms in two of the town's good hotels, we are at a complete loss as to what to do with our family members."
Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Md. Anwar Sadat confirmed that all tourists had returned to Khagrachhari safely. He noted that while many tourists are currently leaving the district, others are still choosing to stay.
Earlier in the morning, approximately 2,933 tourists became stranded while attempting to travel back from Sajek to Khagrachhari. Around 9:00 AM, combined forces of the army and police initiated security operations to assist and escort the stranded travelers.
