Transport deadlock in Sajek persists

The road blockade leading to the Sajek tourist centre in Rangamati continued on Sunday, prolonging shortages of daily essentials and medicines in the area.
A relaxation announced for Sunday by the organisations enforcing the blockade failed to bring any relief, as another rival group imposed a fresh 24-hour road blockade in protest against the ongoing unrest.
The Parbatya Chattogram Rokkha Committee enforced the blockade from 6am to 6pm.
Sajek has remained under blockade since 11 October, with two exceptions – on 13 and 14 October, following intervention by the local administration, and from 16 to 21 October during Durga Puja.
The Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee, a local organisation with alleged links to the UPDF, and the Sajek Karbari Association enforced the blockade over several demands, including the immediate withdrawal of armed cadres belonging to the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). The organisations accused the PCJSS of creating widespread insecurity in the area.
In a video statement on Friday night, Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee Convener Babudhan Chakma announced a relaxation of the blockade for Sunday, saying that vehicles carrying daily essentials and medicines would be allowed to operate without obstruction.
He added that special arrangements had been made for Buddhist monks attending a religious ceremony, provided the relevant monastery authorities coordinated with the blockade leadership in advance.
However, the Parbatya Chattogram Rokkha Committee countered the move through a press release issued on Saturday night.
The committee's Member Secretary, Bindu Lal Chakma, said armed factions had continued their violent rampages despite the shutdowns enforced since 11 October 2026.
He cited an armed drill near Bhaibonchhara Government Primary School, recent harassment of tourists and fresh gunfire at Kalabuniya on Saturday, which had triggered widespread panic among local residents.
However, the blockade exempted ambulances carrying patients, fire service vehicles and media personnel.
On 26 October, a high-level government team met protest leaders at Uzo Bazar and reached agreement on four of their five demands, but the deadlock persisted over the withdrawal of armed cadres.