Over 500 tourists stranded in Sajek

Tensions have escalated at Sajek in Rangamati amid exchanges of gunfire between two rival groups, forcing the authorities to impose travel restrictions in the tourist location for Wednesday.

 

Some 500 tourists are stranded in the area due to the gunfight.

Additional District Magistrate Zobaida Akter issued the restriction through a press release on Tuesday night.

Locals said the exchange of gunfire started between activists of Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) and United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) in Sajek and Machalong areas a few days back but it intensified on Tuesday.

No vehicles with tourists left for Sajek on Tuesday afternoon.

Motijoy Tripura, joint general secretary of the Sajek Resort Owners Association, said the gunfight occurred at Shippara in ward No 7 in Sajek and Machalong area, 20km from the Sajek valley.

Md Mosharraf Hossain Khan, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, said considering tourists' safety, the local administration imposed a travel ban for Wednesday.

Further decisions will be taken considering the situation.