Tourists face road blockade in Bangladesh’s Sajek

Two groups began an indefinite blockade of a road to Bangladesh’s Sajek tourist destination Sunday, disrupting travel and leaving visitors stranded, according to reporting by United News of Bangladesh (UNB).

The shutdown started at 6 a.m. on the Baghaihat-Sajek road. Protesters placed tree trunks across the route and burned tires at several locations.

Sajek Karbari Association and Sajek Gono Odhikar Roksha Committee demanded removal of armed Jana Samhati Samiti members. The groups alleged that armed members had threatened residents and damaged property since Aug. 30.

Organizers said ambulances, fire service vehicles, and journalists’ vehicles were exempt from the blockade.

Sajek police station officer-in-charge Mohammad Toffazzal Hossain said tourists were escorted out at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Visitors arriving from Khagrachhari were also escorted toward Sajek, he said, while police worked to maintain tourist transportation.