The organisations announced the revised schedule in a press release issued on Saturday, saying the decision to delay the programme had been taken to reduce inconvenience for tourists visiting the popular hill destination.
In the statement sent by Bijoy Kumar Chakma, a member of the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee, the groups said the blockade would begin at 6am on Sunday and continue for an indefinite period. They also called on local residents and tourists to cooperate with the programme.
The president of the Sajek Karbari Association, Nutan Joy Chakma, and the convener of the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee, Babudhan Chakma, outlined the reasons behind the decision in a joint statement.
They alleged that the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) had stepped up armed activities in Sajek and was threatening and intimidating local residents.
According to the two organisations, a protest rally and public meeting were held at Machalong Ujo Bazar in Sajek on Thursday to raise concerns about the alleged activities. The organisers said they had given the relevant parties a deadline to take action but decided to call the blockade after, according to their account, no effective measures were taken.
The allegations have been rejected by the JSS, which disputed the claims made by the two organisations.
JSS publicity secretary Sajib Chakma told Prothom Alo that the organisation maintained its activities throughout the Chattogram Hill Tracts, including Sajek. He described the allegations of threats and intimidation against local residents as baseless.
Sajib Chakma also alleged that the accusations were intended to divert attention from what he described as longstanding oppression and harassment of ordinary people by armed members of the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF) in Sajek.
However, the allegations made by the rival groups have not been independently verified in the report.
Meanwhile, UPDF spokesperson Angya Marma denied claims that the organisation had pressured the two groups into announcing the blockade. He said the UPDF would support the programme because it had been called in the name of the general public.
Around 3,000 tourists were staying in Sajek
Sajek Valley, located in Baghaichhari Upazila of Rangamati, is a popular tourist destination known for its natural scenery and hill landscapes. Visitors travel there from different parts of Bangladesh, making road access essential for tourism and local businesses.
Rahul Chakma, organising secretary of the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners’ Association, said around 3,000 tourists were staying at the destination on Friday night.
The decision to postpone the blockade may provide visitors with additional time to leave the area, but the indefinite duration of the planned protest has raised concerns about future travel arrangements. A prolonged disruption could affect tourists, transport services, resorts, cottages and other businesses that depend on visitors.
Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Amena Marjan said on Saturday that she had heard about the planned road blockade. Speaking at around 10.45am, she said tourists staying in Sajek had begun travelling towards Baghaihat at around 10am with assistance from security forces.
The movement of tourists before the blockade takes effect is expected to be important in limiting immediate disruption. However, the extent to which road transport and tourism will be affected remains uncertain.
With no fixed end date announced, travellers planning to visit Sajek may face uncertainty over access to the destination. The situation will depend on how the blockade is implemented and whether the concerns raised by the local organisations lead to further discussions or action.
The competing allegations involving the JSS and UPDF have also brought renewed attention to security concerns in the area. For residents and tourism businesses, the immediate priority will be the safe movement of people and the restoration of normal road access.
