An indefinite road blockade called by the Karbari Association and the Sajek Gano Odhikar Raksha Committee is underway in Sajek Union under Baghaichhari Upazila.
On Sunday morning, blockade supporters picketed by burning tyres on the road in front of Ujo Bazar. Later, they staged a sit-in on the highway.
Due to the blockade, long-distance buses and trucks were off the road, bringing movement on the Sajek route to a complete standstill.
According to sources from the two calling organisations, security forces harassed innocent residents under the guise of searching homes on Friday night and issued threats to prominent individuals. To press home their demands, the groups announced an indefinite road blockade on the Sajek tourist route.
Earlier, at a rally organised in Ujo Bazar on 8 October, the two organisations issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the removal of members of Santu Larma-led JSS from Sajek. The blockade was called after the deadline expired without the removal of Santu Larma-led JSS members.
Meanwhile, Suporna Debbarman, president of the Sajek Resort and Cottage Owner Association, assured that the blockade would cause no hardship to Sajek tourism or visiting tourists. He said that tourists travelling to Sajek as well as those currently staying there would be transported under army escort, clarifying that reports claiming tourists are stranded are incorrect.
