Tensions have escalated at Sajek in Rangamati amid an ‘exchange of gunfire’ between two rival groups, forcing the authorities to impose travel restrictions at the tourist location for today (4 December).
Some 500 tourists have been stranded in the area due to the gunfight.
Additional District Magistrate of Rangamati Zobaida Akter issued the restriction through a press release last night (3 December).
Local people said the exchange of gunfire started between activists of Jana Sanghati Samity (JSS) and United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Sajek and Machalong areas a few days back, but it intensified yesterday.
No vehicles with tourists left for Sajek yesterday afternoon.
Motijoy Tripura, joint general secretary of the Sajek Resort Owners Association, said the gunfight occurred at Shippara under the no 7 ward in the Sajek and Machalong area, 20 kilometres away from the Sajek valley.
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan, deputy commissioner of Rangamati district, said that considering tourists’ safety, the local administration imposed a travel ban for today.
Further decisions will be taken considering the situation.
The United Kingdom has warned its citizens against travelling to Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT).
“FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] advises against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as there are regular reports of violence and other criminal activity, particularly in more remote parts. The area is made up of the districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban,” the UK government wrote in its travel advice to foreign nationals yesterday.
