Bandarban Correspondent: The travel ban has been lifted after more than two and a-half months in the wake of armed violence by hill outfit Kuki Chin National Front (KNF), including the Sonali-Krishi bank robbery in Thanchi, Bandarban. Tourist spots in Thanchi upazila have been open to travelers since Sunday. However, due to security reasons, it is not possible to travel to remote areas like Nafakhum, Amiyakhum, Andharmanik, Baramadak, and Chotamadak. However, the travel ban is still in effect in Rowanchari and Ruma upazilas.
Confirming the matter, Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Mamun said that tourists can visit the tourist spots approved by the local administration starting Sunday. This decision was taken in a meeting with law enforcement forces, public representatives, the hotel owners association, and tourist guide association representatives on Saturday morning.
UNO also said that tourists can visit Tindur Barapathar, Remakri Waterfall, Tamatungi, and Dim Pahar tourist spots. For security reasons, it is not possible to go to other spots outside of these. The representatives of the guide association have been informed about where the tourists can go and where they cannot go.
Thanchi tourist guides Simeon Tripura and Mongesa Marma said that the tourist spots were closed for about 3 months from April 3. Based on the opinions of all concerned, the significant tourist spots in Thanchi Upazila have been opened for travelers since Sunday. Although tourist arrivals in Thanchi are low during the monsoon, there will still be a few tourists due to the lifting of the ban. Due to this, the tourism-related business that has been created by the deadlock in Thanchi will be boosted to some extent. Tourists who come on tour will be served wholeheartedly.
Meanwhile, the four upazilas of Bandarban, Rowanchhari, Ruma, Thanchi, and Alikadam have come under the ban due to security considerations due to the armed rampage of the Kuki Chin National Front (KNF) and the anti-KNF joint forces’ operation. As the situation is good, the administration has withdrawn the ban from all the upazilas. But on April 2 and 3 in Ruma and Thanchi, KNF bank robbery, looting of weapons by law enforcement forces, and attacks on security forces members, the administration imposed a travel ban again.
Sirajul Islam, General Secretary of the District Residential Hotel Owners Association, said that after a long time, the arrival of tourists in the district will increase as the Thanchi travel ban is withdrawn. The tourist spots in Rowangchari-Ruma upazila have been closed for security reasons for almost three months. In this regard, the tourism-related businesses of the district headquarters have faced a setback. Considering the overall situation, the businessmen concerned demand to open the Devtakhum tourist spot in Rowangchari upazila for tourists.
