The Rangamati district administration has temporarily closed Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination, starting from 6:00 p.m. on Sunday until further notice, citing security concerns.
The decision was announced in an emergency notice signed by Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Najma Ashrafi on Sunday evening.
The notice requested that tourists currently staying in Sajek, located under Baghaichhari upazila of Rangamati, depart from the area by 5:00 PM on Tuesday and make their way back safely to their respective destinations.
The closure will remain in effect until further notice due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, the notice said.
The deputy commissioner stated that the decision was made with the overall safety of tourists in mind. She added that Sajek Valley will reopen once the situation returns to normal.
According to the district administration and local sources, a convoy of tourist vehicles was stranded on the road for approximately three hours on Sunday amid protests by two local organisations in Sajek.
The vehicles were able to reach their destinations after protesters withdrew following discussions with police and army personnel.
At around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, a convoy departing from Sajek became stranded at Ujobaazar, while vehicles traveling toward Sajek from Khagrachhari town were held up at Machalong Bazar.
Protesters blocked roads at both locations. They withdrew at around 5:30pm, allowing traffic to resume.
On Saturday, the Sajek Karbari Association and the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee announced a blockade in the area, which subsequently began at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Protesters blocked the main road connecting Sajek Valley to other areas by placing tree trunks across the roadway and setting tyres on fire at multiple points in support of the program, which disrupted traffic.
The two organisations alleged that the regional political group JSS (Santu Larma) had initiated armed activities within the area, alongside threatening and intimidating local residents.
According to the organizations, they held a rally last Thursday and established a deadline for action against the alleged activities. Because no action was taken, they subsequently called for the road blockade.
Why it matters
The indefinite closure of Sajek Valley disrupts tourism and highlights ongoing security challenges and local political tensions in the Rangamati region.