Shooting in Sajek: 3 thousand tourists rescued with the help of army and police, traffic is normal

Photo: Collected Photo: Collected

News Desk: The army and police have rescued nearly 3,000 tourists who were stranded following a road blockade and gunfire in Rangamati’s Sajek. The incident took place today (Thursday, October 22) in the Gangaram Bazar area of Sajek. No casualties have been reported.

According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), armed members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) set up a road blockade using local residents as human shields. The release claimed that shots were fired at the tourists and members of law enforcement during the incident.

According to ISPR information, vehicular movement on the Sajek-Baghaichhari road came to a halt due to the blockade. As a result, around 3,000 tourists visiting Sajek became stranded. The army and police jointly took security measures to escort them safely to Khagrachhari.

The release stated that on Thursday around 10:00 AM, the blockaders created obstacles on the road in the Gangaram Bazar area, stopping the movement of tourist vehicles. To normalize the situation, a patrol team of the army and police attempted to negotiate with the blockaders.

While negotiations were underway around 11:45 AM, the blockaders began throwing brickbats at law enforcement personnel and tourists, according to ISPR. To control the situation, law enforcement used a baton charge to disperse the blockaders. Afterwards, steps were taken to resume the movement of tourist vehicles.

Shortly after, around 11:00 AM, armed members of the UPDF opened fire with approximately 30 to 40 rounds targeting law enforcement and tourists, the release noted. At that time, in self-defense and to ensure the safety of tourists, the army patrol team fired back. Later, the armed individuals fled the scene.

ISPR stated that stranded tourists were safely evacuated through the coordinated efforts of the army and police. There were no casualties in this incident.

The release further claimed that the blockade and act of violence were pre-planned. ISPR also accused the group of intimidating local residents into joining the blockade and using them as human shields.

According to the agency, a section of UPDF armed members has taken up positions in the tourist area due to ongoing operations by security forces in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Such violence is having a negative impact on peace and stability in the hill tracts, the tourism industry, and the livelihoods of local people.

The Bangladesh Army stated that it will continue working in coordination with the civil administration and other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and stability in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and ensure the safety of local residents and tourists.