Tourists from different parts of the country suffered as an indefinite blockade on the Sajek-Dighinala road in Rangamati began on Sunday morning, disrupting vehicle movement to and from the popular tourist destination.

The blockade was called by the Sajek Public Rights Protection Committee and the Sajek Karbari Association to demand security for local residents and the arrest of those accused of threatening them.

Locals said protesters had been burning tyres and picketing at several points, including Gangaram Uchabazar, halting all vehicle movement between Sajek and Dighinala.

In a press release issued on Saturday, the committee alleged that an armed group using the name of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (JSS) had been creating instability and threatening local people. It said the blockade would continue until the authorities took legal action against those involved.

‘We have decided to enforce the blockade after becoming fed up with the oppression by terrorists using the JSS name. Our movement will continue until the government takes visible legal action against them,’ committee member secretary Bijoy Kanti Chakma said.

Sajek tourist centre line manager Yasin Arafat said 90 vehicles, including cars, larger vehicles and motorcycles, entered Sajek with a government security escort on Saturday, carrying more than 900 tourists.

Motijoy Tripura, organising secretary of the Sajek Cottage Owners’ Association, said a security convoy might operate once at 2:00pm instead of the usual two trips because of the blockade. He hoped the convoy would allow stranded tourists to leave Sajek and new visitors to enter.

Baghaichhari Upazila Nirbahi Officer and the officer-in-charge of Sajek police station could not be reached by phone despite repeated attempts for comment.