Rangamati, Oct 17 (V7N) – Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila, reopened to visitors on Friday after the district administration lifted a travel ban imposed amid road blockades and security concerns.
More than 700 tourists entered Sajek on Friday morning, the first day after the restrictions were withdrawn, bringing renewed activity to the area’s tourism sector.
In an emergency public notice issued on Thursday evening, Rangamati Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate Nazma Ashrafi announced that all tourist spots in Sajek would reopen from October 16. Tourist travel will remain unrestricted until October 21 during the Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations.
The administration had closed Sajek to tourists from the evening of October 11 and instructed visitors staying there to return safely to their destinations by 5pm on October 13.
Before the closure, Sajek Karbari Association and Sajek Gana Odhikar Rakkha Committee began a road blockade on October 11, disrupting traffic and leaving tourist vehicles and other vehicles stranded. Tourists and local residents faced difficulties as movement along the Sajek road was affected.
Following discussions with the administration and considering the Durga Puja celebrations, the two organisations suspended their blockade from October 16 to 21. Their leaders said the decision followed a request from the Durga Puja celebration committee at Machalong Bazar in Sajek and was made out of respect for the religious festival.
However, the organisations said the safety of Sajek residents, protection of lives and property, and implementation of their demands remained important. They warned that further programmes could be announced after the Puja if their demands were not addressed.
The reopening is expected to provide relief to resort and cottage owners, transport operators and others dependent on tourism, particularly during the Durga Puja holiday period.
Suparna Deb Barman, president of the Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners Association and a member of the Rangamati Hill District Council, said the prolonged absence of tourists had caused substantial financial losses to the hill tourism sector.
He expressed hope that a strong influx of visitors during the Puja holidays would help recover some of the recent losses. He added that bookings had already begun for most resorts and cottages ahead of the holiday period.
Sajek Police Station Officer-in-Charge Tofazzal Hossain said tourists arriving from Khagrachhari had reached Sajek safely.
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