Leaders of Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee and Sajek Karbari Association have alleged that the police filed a case naming 30 individuals and accusing 1,000 unidentified persons over incidents during Sajek blockade, alongside an attempt to arrest an SSC examinee, Jhorna Chakma, from her home in Dipu Para.
On Saturday afternoon, the Convener of Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee Babudhan Chakma, and the President of Sajek Karbari Association Natun Joy Chakma, issued a statement to media outlining a five-point charter of public demands following an attack on peaceful blockade supporters on 22 October.
In the statement, they demanded the withdrawal of the “false case” and the removal of members of Santu Larma-led Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) from Sajek.
Sajek police, however, maintained that no such action had been taken.
Refuting the allegations, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Sajek Police Station, Tofazzal Hossain, said no case had been registered over the blockade programme and that no detentions or arrests had taken place.
Meanwhile, an indefinite blockade called by Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee and the Karbari Association remains underway along Baghaichhari–Sajek tourism road to press home a three-point demand.
Simultaneously, Chhatra-Janata Sangram Parishad observed a peaceful half-day blockade across Rangamati and Khagrachhari districts.
On Saturday morning, picketers responding to the Chhatra-Janata Sangram Parishad’s call burnt tyres and tree logs in Kutukchhari Bazar area along the main Rangamati-Khagrachhari highway.
Protesters affiliated with Sajek Gano Odhikar Rokkha Committee and Karbari Association carried out similar picketing at Baghaihat No. 10 and Machalong 14 Kilo in Sajek.
The joint statement further alleged that Ujo Bazar area has remained cordoned off day and night, with entry strictly barred.
It claimed that shops were extensively ransacked and looted, with goods carted away in vehicles, forcing more than a hundred families to flee their homes and shops in fear of torture.
The leaders also alleged that an attempt was made on Saturday morning to arrest SSC examinee Jhorna Chakma from her residence in Dipu Para.
They claimed this was an attempt to arrest or abduct her in the manner of Kalpana Chakma because she had spoken out against armed terrorists in front of journalists during the road blockade on 11 October.
Detailing their five-point demand, the leaders called for exemplary punishment for those involved in the unprovoked attack on peaceful blockade supporters on 22 October, the complete withdrawal of the case filed against 30 named and 1,000 unidentified individuals after staging a false shooting drama, and an impartial judicial inquiry into the incident.
They also demanded proper compensation for the damage caused by the vandalism and looting of local traders’ shops in Ujo Bazar, along with the immediate withdrawal of army and police personnel from the area.
Additionally, they urged the authorities to bear full responsibility for the medical expenses of all men and women assaulted and injured by the army.
Furthermore, the leaders insisted on the immediate removal of armed members of the Santu Larma-led JSS group operating in Sajek with army backing, demanding an end to their alleged terrorism, extortion, and oppression.
Finally, they called for an immediate cessation of all arrests, harassment, and searches of homes and businesses, insisting that protesting leaders and activists must not be branded as terrorists.
