A half-day road and waterway blockade is underway in Khagrachhari and Rangamati districts following clashes between security forces and protesters in Sajek on Thursday that left several people injured.
The blockade, called by the Chhatra Janatar Sangram Parishad, began early Saturday in protest against the casualties in the Sajek clashes.
Protesters burned tyres and felled trees on several roads, including the Khagrachhari-Chattogram highway, to enforce the blockade. They also attempted to set tyres on fire near Chengi Bridge in Khagrachhari town twice, but law enforcement personnel dispersed them.
Long-distance buses have not departed from Khagrachhari because of the blockade, although traffic within the district headquarters remains normal.
Night coaches and passenger and cargo vehicles travelling from Dhaka and other parts of the country faced obstructions at several points. However, they reached Khagrachhari town around 9am under security escorts.
The suspension of long-distance and local transport services has caused suffering for passengers.
Khagrachhari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Kay Kislu said law enforcement personnel had been deployed at various points across the district headquarters. No untoward incidents had been reported so far, he added.
The Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee and the Karbari Association have been enforcing road blockades since October 11, pressing three demands, including the removal of armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) from Sajek.
On October 22, during the third phase of the blockade, protesters blocked a road in the Ujobaazar area of Sajek and stopped vehicles carrying tourists.
Clashes broke out between the protesters and law enforcement personnel as the latter attempted to rescue around 3,000 stranded tourists.
According to law enforcement agencies, armed members of a regional group in the hills opened indiscriminate fire at security personnel and tourists, prompting the forces to retaliate in self-defence.
The agencies have alleged that the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), another regional organisation in the hills, was involved in the clashes and exchange of gunfire.