Dhaka, Oct 22 (V7N) – Armed members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) allegedly opened fire on tourists and law enforcement personnel after blocking a road in Sajek, Rangamati, today, leaving around 3,000 tourists stranded before they were safely evacuated to Khagrachhari by the Bangladesh Army and police.
According to an ISPR press release, armed UPDF members blocked the Sajek-Baghaihat road in the Gangaram Bazar area under Rangamati district, allegedly using local people as human shields, and opened fire on tourists and law enforcement personnel.
The incident disrupted vehicular movement on the road, leaving around 3,000 tourists visiting Sajek stranded. The Bangladesh Army and police jointly took security measures to ensure the safe evacuation of the tourists, the release said.
During the evacuation operation, the blockaders obstructed the road at Gangaram Bazar around 10:00 am, halting the movement of tourist vehicles. Army and police patrol teams subsequently initiated talks with the blockaders to ensure safe passage for the tourists. However, around 10:45 am, the blockaders, allegedly instigated by the UPDF, suddenly began throwing brickbats at law enforcement personnel and tourists, according to the release.
The law enforcers dispersed the blockaders through a baton charge to bring the situation under control and resumed the movement of tourist vehicles. Later, around 11:00 am, armed UPDF members reportedly fired 30 to 40 rounds at law enforcement personnel and tourists. The Army patrol team returned fire in self-defence and to protect the tourists, forcing the armed individuals to flee the scene, the release said.
The stranded tourists were subsequently evacuated safely through coordinated efforts by the Army and police. No casualties were reported.
According to preliminary information cited in the release, the blockade and violence were pre-planned. The alleged intimidation of local people and their forced use as human shields were described as particularly alarming. The release further said that a section of armed UPDF members, reportedly under pressure from ongoing security operations in different areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) , had taken positions in the tourist area.
Such violent activities were disrupting peace, stability and public safety in the hill region, while adversely affecting tourism and the livelihoods of local people, it added.
The ISPR expressed serious concern over the risks posed to innocent tourists and the alleged forced involvement of ordinary people in the blockade. It said the Bangladesh Army was continuing to work in coordination with the civil administration and other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace, harmony and stability in the CHT and protect the lives and property of local residents and tourists. The Army's efforts to preserve a peaceful environment in the hill region would continue, the release added.
