UPDF opened fire on tourists, law enforcement; used residents as human shields: Bangladesh Army
The Bangladesh Army on Thursday has alleged that armed members of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) forcibly used local residents as human shields to blockade the road and opened fire on tourists and law enforcement personnel in the Gangaram Bazar area of Sajek.
It said the sudden attack left 3,000 tourists stranded.
In a statement, the Bangladesh Army said it began jointly implementing security measures to ensure the safe transport of the stranded tourists to Khagrachhari around 10:00am.
At the time, law enforcement and security forces initiated discussions with those enforcing the blockade to ensure the safe passage of the tourists.
“During these discussions, at approximately 10:45am, individuals instigated by the UPDF suddenly began throwing bricks and stones at the law enforcement personnel and the tourists. To bring the situation under control, law enforcement used baton charges to disperse the individuals and restored the movement of the tourist vehicles.”
The statement added that around 11:00am, armed members of the UPDF reportedly fired 30–40 rounds at law enforcement personnel and tourists.
“In response, the Army patrol team returned fire — acting in self-defence and to ensure the safety of the tourists — prompting the armed individuals to flee the scene. Through the coordinated efforts of the Bangladesh Army and the police, the stranded tourists were safely evacuated; no casualties were reported.”
The army said preliminary information suggested that the blockade and the acts of violence orchestrated by the UPDF were premeditated.
“The allegations that local residents are being coerced into participating in blockades through intimidation — and used as human shields — are deeply concerning,” it added.
The army said a faction of armed UPDF members, "finding themselves cornered" due to ongoing security operations in various parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, had taken up positions within tourist areas.
It said such violent activities not only disrupted peace, stability and public safety in the Chittagong Hill Tracts but also had a detrimental impact on the tourism industry and the livelihoods of the local population.
“In particular, the act of placing innocent tourists at risk and forcibly involving ordinary citizens in blockade programmes is highly alarming,” it said, reiterating its commitment to ensuring peace in the region.
The blockade began at 6am on Thursday, jointly called by the Sajek Ganadhikar Rakkha Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association to press for a three-point demand.
Protesters set fire to tyres at several points along the road, halting all vehicle movement between Dighinala in Khagrachhari and Sajek Valley.
A special security convoy comprising army and police personnel left Sajek for Baghaihat around 8:30am with the stranded tourists. When it reached Ujo Bazar around 10:30am, protesters blocked its path.
The organisations enforcing the blockade alleged that armed members of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS-Santu group) had established positions in several areas of Sajek, including Machalong, Thalkumbho, Chillyatuli Kuti, Noapara, Lambabak and Bhuiochhari, forcing more than 100 local residents to leave their homes.
They said the blockade would continue until their three-point demands -- removal of armed PCJSS members from Sajek, an end to death threats against innocent people, and a halt to law enforcement agencies’ searches of ordinary people’s homes -- are met.
The organisations had enforced intermittent blockades since October 11 but suspended the programme until October 21 for Durga Puja.
The renewed blockade has caused severe hardship for around 30,000 people from the local Lusai, Tripura, Chakma and Marma communities, disrupting movement and the transport of essential commodities.