The Crime Desk: The angry Jumma Chhatra Samaj has called for a three-day blockade in connection with the violence in Khagrachari and Rangamati in the hill districts on September 19 and 20. About one and a half thousand tourists were trapped in Sajek. After three days, they were able to leave Sajek, but Sajek was mostly closed to tourists. After the stranded tourists left Sajek on September 24, the Rangamati district administration discouraged tourists from traveling there.
The blocked door of Sajek was extended threefold from last October 4 for an indefinite period. There have been no tourists in it for the past month. All in all, Sajek’s tourism businessmen are currently suffering losses. Many have sent staff on leave to reduce losses; some have lost their jobs.
Sajek tourism officials said that there are 116 hotels, resorts, and cottages in Sajek. There are more than 14 restaurants but no sales. As a result, the businessmen here are spending their days in worry. According to the Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association, Sajek traders have lost Tk 5-8 crore in the last one month.
Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association Organization Secretary Rahul Chakma John said, “Sajek businessmen are in a desperate situation.” There are no tourists, but staff salaries, rent, electricity, and water bills are not covered. If this continues, many may leave the business. After two days, each problem arose, and tourist travel stopped in Sajek.
He also said, ‘Not only the resort-cottage or restaurant owners are losing; the jeep drivers and helpers are having to spend idle time carrying the tourists. In Sajeke, the local hillbillies sell their garden fruits, bamboo baskets, and many other handicrafts; their income has also stopped. The fruits are rotting.
Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association President Suparna Dev Barman said Sajek businessmen are in a very bad condition. If the business is closed for so long, everyone has problems.
He said, I had six staff at the resort; four of them have been sent on leave. Thus, everyone has sent most of the staff on leave. There are currently few people in Saje.
He also said that in these few days we have lost about 5-8 crore rupees. As time goes by, the amount of loss will increase.
He demanded to withdraw the ban on tourist travel to Saje.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan said that Rangamati is one of the most attractive places in the country’s tourism industry. Many people are engaged in this business. So we are working on this order so that it does not increase any more. I hope to get that good news soon.
