Md. Hasan Al Mamun, Diginala ( Khagrachhari)

Sajek Valley, a premier tourist destination in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila, has been rendered deserted following regional political rivalry, repeated road blockades, and sporadic gunfire, with tourism-related businesses incurring daily losses between Tk 1.2 crore and Tk 1.5 crore.

The ongoing disruption, occurring right before the peak November season, has triggered widespread booking cancellations across the valley’s 120-plus resorts and cottages, leaving over 1,000 direct employees, transport operators, and local traders in severe uncertainty.

The crisis escalated after the Sajek Gon Odhikar Rokkha Committee and Sajek Karbari Association called an indefinite blockade demanding the withdrawal of armed members of a Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu Larma) faction from Sajek. The district administration subsequently suspended tourist access.

Though temporarily eased during Durga Puja, the blockade resumed on October 22. Security forces later escorted 2,933 stranded tourists safely to Khagrachhari amid reports of 30 to 40 rounds of gunfire in the Gangaram Bazar area targeting tourists and law enforcers. On October 24, the UPDF-backed Chhatra-Janata Sangram Parishad enforced a half-day blockade across Khagrachhari and Rangamati.

According to the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners' Association, a 10-day shutdown could inflict over Tk 5 crore in cumulative damage across the accommodation, food, and transport sectors alone. Local representatives noted that the blockades have also halted the supply of essential food commodities and agricultural transport for indigenous villagers.

Staging a protest in Khagrachhari on October 23, local business owners and transport workers demanded that the district administration reopen Sajek within 48 hours under robust security guarantees to prevent a total economic collapse.